Marlene Aguilar to be investigated for ‘hiding’ son Jason

Marlene Aguilar could face obstruction of justice charges for allegedly preventing government authorities from tracking down her son, Jason Ivler, who was arrested Monday morning following a shootout at their Quezon City home. GMA News’ Jun Veneracion reported that Aguilar, who would be placed under investigation later in the day, could also be charged with harboring a criminal because her son was found hiding in their home in Blue Ridge Subdivision. The 28-year-old Ivler is the key suspect in the November 18 road rage killing of Renato Ebarle Jr., son of Presidential Chief of Staff Renato Ebarle Sr. The report quoted Aguilar as saying that she was still in a state of shock because her son was still in critical condition due to gunshot wounds. Before his arrest, Ivler exchanged fire with operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The report also said Aguilar was seen crying while talking to her lawyer at the NBI’s Special Action Unit office. Aguilar had long denied having knowledge of her son’s whereabouts. She even publicly appealed to her son to surrender to authorities. But last December, she said her son sent her an email saying he was in Hawaii and "would only surrender to God." 'The arms of the law will catch you' In an interview on dzBB radio, Ebarle Sr. lauded the NBI for Ivler’s arrest. He had earlier expressed confidence that Philippine authorities would arrest Ivler in the country. "Malaki ang tiwala ko sa NBI at sa government authorities at sa immigration na hindi confirmed yung departure niya [Jason] at binabantayan ng PNP from Aparri to Jolo (I trust the NBI, the government authorities, and the immigration that Ivler’s supposed departure was not confirmed because the PNP had been keeping watch from Aparri to Jolo)," Ebarle Sr. said. "I’ve been telling that the long arms of the law will catch you," he addressed Ivler. Malacañang also commended the NBI for Ivler’s arrest. "The arrest of Ivler is a big personal relief to the Ebarle family and friends. The NBI and all those who helped in his arrest deserve high commendation," said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde in a text message. Charge Ivler’s diplomat stepfather, too The senior Ebarle likewise said that Ivler’s stepfather, British diplomat Stephen Pollard, should likewise be charged with Aguilar. "Yung diplomat, ang dayuhan alam niya nasa baba lang hinahanap na stepson niya ... dapat din managot siguro ito (Ivler's diplomat father knew his stepson was here. He should be held accountable, too)," Ebarle said in an interview on dzXL radio. Pollard is an executive at the Asian Development Bank. The sport-utility vehicle Ivler was driving when he allegedly shot Ebarle's son Renato Jr. sported a diplomatic plate traced to Pollard. The NBI, however, did not mention whether Pollard would be charged as well. "Wala pong nabanggit ang tropa ko doon (My men did not mention anything about the matter)," said lawyer Ruel Lasala, NBI deputy director for intelligence services. - Sophia Dedace/RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV