Police serve arrest warrant vs injured NPA amazon

Police served yesterday the warrant of arrest against a New People’s Army amazon who sought confinement at a Manila hospital after reportedly being hit by a stray bullet.

Through intelligence network, Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales, however, verified that the woman, who earlier gave her name as Myra Bautista, is Cecilia Mondia, 25, one of seven NPA members who escaped from the Quezon provincial jail on Oct. 25.

Lucena provincial police chief Superintendent Ronaldo Ylagan served the warrant of arrest to Mondia at her ward at the Lourdes Hospital in Sta. Mesa, Manila. He was accompanied by National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Leopoldo Bataoil who commended Rosales and his men for the capture of the elusive NPA amazon.

Mondia is facing charges of murder and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition. Police said Mondia sought treatment for a bullet wound in the abdomen and claimed that she was hit by a stray bullet fired by a group of drinking men in Silang, Cavite. She was rushed by her cousin, Grace Labayo, at the hospital.

Rosales also verified that Labayo is Gemma Carag, a finance officer of the NPA based in Quezon province. She is also one of the escapees at the Quezon provincial jail.

Rosales said they received information that another NPA escapee, identified as Noel Santos, 45, was a frequent visitor of Mondia at the hospital.

The two NPA members vanished after learning that Mondia’s real personality have been known by the police. “Mondia sought treatment at a Manila hospital and made up a story of a victim of stray bullet possibly to escape being captured by the military,” Rosales said. Mondia was reportedly injured in a recent encounter with the military in Rodriguez, Rizal, Rosales added.

Police and military are guarding Mondia. Bataoil said Mondia is a ranking NPA officer and could be snatched by her comrades in the hospital.