Philippine security agents shot and arrested the main suspect in the road rage shooting of the son of a senior aide of Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, officials said yesterday.
Police launched a massive manhunt for suspect Jason Ivler after he allegedly shot dead Renato Ebarle Jr during a traffic row in Manila in November in a crime that shocked the nation.
Ivler was wounded in a shootout when agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) stormed his family home in a Manila suburb, said NBI deputy director Ruel Lasala in a radio interview.
Two NBI agents were also wounded in the incident which was captured live by a TV news crew. TV footage showed NBI agents shooting into a darkened doorway after coming under fire, allegedly from Ivler armed with an assault rifle. A bleeding, screaming Ivler is then shown being held down by NBI agents.
He had been one of the most wanted men in the country since he was identified as the motorist who shot Ebarle Jr, who was at the wheel of another car.
Ivler is alleged to have been in a vehicle bearing license plates reserved for foreign diplomats.
The victim was the son of Renato Ebarle Sr, undersecretary at the office of the executive secretary, making him the main assistant to Arroyo’s chief aide.
The failure to capture Ivler became a major embarrassment for the government. In one incident, a Filipino working in Qatar was deported in December because he was mistaken for the suspect.
Ivler was in hospital receiving treatment after his capture yesterday.
NBI officials said he was conscious but gave no further details on his condition.
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