The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has apologized to Jason Aguilar over a case of mistaken identity that cost him his job overseas and his eventual deportation, ANC News reported Saturday. Angelito Magno, chief of the NBI's Special Action Unit, told ANC that they are willing to provide proper documentation that will clear Aguilar's name. “Jason, we are very sorry for the incident that happened to you. We feel sorry,” Magno said. Aguilar was working as a welder in Qatar when he was arrested and detained for seven days and then deported. He has the same name and birthday as that of Jason Aguilar Ivler, the road-rage suspect who allegedly shot and killed the son of Malaca?ang Undersecretary Renato Ebarle Sr. in Quezon City. “I have talkld to Usec. Ebarle and he has told me that he was willing to extend whatever help he could do for you, including giving you a job, if you would only communicate with him,” Magno added. Aguilar resigned from work as factory worker in Calumpit and took up an opportunity to work in Qatar as a welder. “I was easily hired,” he said in a previous interview. The youngest of 5 siblings left the Philippines, full of hope for his family. “I was full of hope before I left for Qatar and was determined to work abroad,” he said. He accepted the NBi's appology, saying that an apology and taking accountability for what happened was important. “My reputation was damaged here so I want to hear an apology from whoever wronged me,” he said. Former labor undersecretary and now senatorial bet, Susan Ople, said she was dismayed with government's treatment of the case. She believes government agencies would have acted differently if Aguilar was a prominent individual. “If the person involved was well connected, this would have been a totally different ball game,” said Ople, who is also running an advocacy center for overseas Filipino workers. “His dreams were shattered just because of some government agencies recklessness,” she added. - ABC
