DOJ: Ivler ready for outpatient treatment

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Justice prosecutors have formally asked a Quezon City judge to transfer road rage murder suspect Jason Ivler from the hospital where he is confined to the detention facility of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

In asking for Ivler’s transfer, the prosecutors cited the findings of another physician, Dr. Enrico Ragaza, that the suspect’s wound could be attended to even without his continued stay at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC).

“It is my opinion that his dehisced wounds are ready for re-suturing, or if left open would heal by secondary intention in due time. His wounds just require regular wound care that may be done on an outpatient basis,” Ragaza said in a medical certificate submitted to the court.

“Although handcuffed to his bed, he had no limitation of all his extremities,” he said.

Ragaza is the surgery department chairman at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute and a fellow of the Philippine Society of Colorectal Surgeons.

The government prosecutors’ omnibus motion will be heard by Judge Alexander Balut of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 74 on Thursday.

Ivler, who is facing murder charges for allegedly killing Renato Victor Ebarle Jr. on Nov. 18 last year, was wounded when he shot it out with NBI agents on Jan. 18. He has since been confined at the QMMC.

State prosecutors, protesting Ivler’s continued stay at QMMC and the delay of his transfer to the Quezon City Jail, asked the court for another government doctor to examine Ivler.

“He should now be transferred to a detention facility which has provisions for wound care,” they said in their motion asking for Ivler’s transfer to the NBI.

The prosecutors said the NBI headquarters in Manila has facilities for wound care.