RP envoy backs Jason Aguilar's return to Qatar

A Philippine ambassador has offered assistance to OFW Jason Aguilar in his re-entry to Qatar, where he was incarcerated for a week last December in a case of mistaken identity. Aguilar, who was wrongfully deported, is now saddled with debts.

In a statement Saturday, January 16, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the Philippine Embassy in Qatar has sent a note verbale, which is "an unsigned diplomatic note written in the third person, of the nature of a memorandum but sometimes considered to be more formal," to the Qatari Foreign Ministry to seek clarification on the circumstances surrounding the apprehension and deportation of Aguilar.

Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Crescente R. Relacion, said that while the embassy awaits the reply of Qatari authorities, he suggested that Aguilar should take the necessary steps to facilitate his return and reentry to his place of work in Qatar. (Read: Gov't blunder shatters dreams of OFW mistaken for a fugitive)

Relacion said Aguilar should secure a clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation or the Quezon City Police Department to document that he is not the same person as Jason Aguilar Ivler, who has a warrant of arrest and is subject of an Interpol Red Notice.

"This document will be the basis for the embassy’s request for the deletion of Aguilar’s name from the immigration blacklist of Qatari and other Gulf Cooperation Council authorities, with which it shares databases," the statement said.

It added that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration is also extending assistance to Aguilar to get another job if he wishes.


For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Aguilar was taken into custody on December 31, 2009, detained at the Search and Follow-Up Department of Qatar’s Deportation Center and then deported to the Philippines on January 7.

He was mistaken for Ivler, who is facing charges for the alleged shooting of Renato Ebarle Jr. during a traffic altercation in November 2009. Ebarle, son of Presidential Chief of Staff Undersecretary Renato Ebarle Sr., died in the said encounter. Ivler remains at large.

The Philippine Embassy noted the swift action taken by Qatari authorities in taking into custody an individual whom they believed was facing criminal charges in another jurisdiction. They stated that such kind of bilateral cooperation is useful in future cases.

According to the statement, the embassy is exploring the possibility of entering into an arrangement with Qatar, for a much judicious and swift notification of any arrest, detention, deportation and repatriation of their respective nationals.

The NBI’s Special Action Unit stated on January 14 that Philippine law enforcement authorities are strictly guarding and monitoring all possible exits from the country. They believe that Ivler is still in the country. - FRJ/FVI, GMANews.TV

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