NPA stray bullet victim guarded at hospital

The Manila police are now closely guarding at a hospital a suspected female member of the New People’s Army who sought confinement after reportedly being hit by a stray bullet in Cavite province.

Myra Bautista, 22, is being treated at the Lourdes Hospital in Sta. Mesa, Manila for a gunshot wound in the abdomen. She was rushed by her cousin, Grace Labayo, narrating the victim was hit by a stray bullet when a group of men fired their firearms during a drinking session at Barangay Malabag, Silang, Cavite on Saturday afternoon.

Sta. Mesa police station chief Superintendent Jimmy Tiu coordinated with Silang police station and later found out through Chief Inspector Christopher Olaso that no firing incident occurred within their area of jurisdiction.

Senior Superintendent Primitivo Tavuara of the Calabarzon intelligence office later confirmed that the victim was one of those hurt in an encouter of the military with the NPAs in Rodriguez, Rizal on Dec. 31.

“The woman 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,” Tiu said.

The woman, who could have given a fictitious name, is still under sedation and could not be questioned yet, according to Tiu.

However, Tiu ordered a round-the clock watch of his men over the injured woman at the hospital ward. She is also being guarded by members of Karapatan, a left leaning organization, Tiu added.

Personnel of the MPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and mobile patrol cars are also deployed around the hospital’s vicinity to avoid possible release from her comrades, Tiu said. – Nestor Etolle