MANILA, Philippines—Jason Ivler, the 27-year-old American who allegedly shot and killed the son of a Malacanang official over a traffic altercation, has a policeman-cousin who allegedly tried to help him flee the country several years back.
Police identified Ivler's cousin as Senior Superintendent Antonio Gumiran, currently assigned at the Directorate for Operations at the police's national headquarters at Camp Crame.
In 2004, the then Superintendent Gumiran and a certain Senior Inspector Jeff Briones Uy were temporarily relieved administratively for allegedly trying to help Ivler escape the country via a motor vessel en route to Malaysia.
PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said agents from the Bureau of Immigration accosted Ivler and his two police escorts in Zamboanga City.
Ivler was then facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide over the death of Undersecretary Nestor Ponce, also over a traffic altercation.
Ivler posted bail at the Pasig Regional Trial Court branch 71 but failed to attend court hearings.
Gumiran and Uy faced a six-month probe over the incident and allegations that Ivler tried to bribe immigration agents with $5,000.
In his defense, Gumiran said he was unaware of Ivler's pending case and escorted him merely as a concerned relative.
Gumiran's father and Ivler's mother are first-degree cousins, Espina said.
"(Gumiran) thought (Ivler) had no warrant and Ivler's life was in danger. As a cousin, he deemed it necessary to protect Ivler's life," Espina said.
But Espina said that when Gumiran learned of Ivler's case, he immediately turned the American over to proper authorities.
Espina said Gumiran met with him on Sunday and discussed his involvement over attempts to help Ivler escape several years back.
At this time, Gumiran is on an official out-of-town trip, Espina said.
"As far as the Gumiran incident is concerned, he has already been cleared by the investigating body of the PNP," Espina stressed.
Gumiran, in fact, was even promoted despite of the incident.
However, Espina assured that there would be no hindrance or let up to the hunt for Ivler, who is now facing murder charges for the shooting of Renato Ebarle Jr.
