Monday, June 04, 2007 Magsy tells NBI: ‘Mondia was with group who ambushed me’ By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan and Nicolas C. Delfin
* Mrs. Mondia hopes for God's miracle to vindicate her hubby from Magsy's accusations
UBAY, Pulupandan -- Mayor-elect Magdaleno "Magsy" Peña said Sunday he and Jerany Suatengco had already submitted their affidavit to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Bacolod regarding the ambush incident Wednesday last week.
"I told NBI-Bacolod chief Mamerto Cortez that Sammy (Samsom) Mondia was inside the blue Toyota Revo used as getaway car by five or six gunmen after the ambush. My statement was also corroborated by Jerany," Peña told Sun.Star-Bacolod.
He also claimed that he already knew the one who led the ambush.
Asked who? Peña said, "It was a former leader of the NPA's sparrow unit in Western Visayas.
Peña is now expecting the NBI to immediately file two counts of murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder against Mondia, among other unidentified suspects.
"Then, I want the court to issue warrant of arrest with no bail recommended against Mondia. I want to see him in jail as soon as possible," Peña added.
Detailed info
Cortez said all the information given to them by Peña and Suatengco will be examined thoroughly.
These will also be consolidated for comparison with the police investigation being led now by Negros Occidental Police Provincial Director Rosendo Franco, he added.
"We need a detailed info as much as possible before we act on filing of the case against anyone," Cortez said.
"Their (Peña and Suatengco) statement-affidavits will remain subject for confirmation and validation while we are gathering other details to substantiate their claims from several witnesses we can have while the investigation process continues," Cortez explained.
God-fearing
In a phone interview, however, Mondia's wife (whose name being withheld by Sun.Star) said, "We are God-fearing people. Samsom cannot afford to do what Magsy is accusing him."
Mondia’s wife also admitted that they have no millions to fight Peña.
"That's why my husband had already conceded defeat after the May 14 elections because he already accepted his fate in losing against Peña. So what else?" she said.
It's also far to believe that Samson would do the ambush against Magsy since my husband can't also benefit from it. If Magsy was killed, it's still Tony Suatengco, his brother-in-law and the one who won as vice mayor, who will succeed Magsy and not my husband, she added.
Media blitz
Mondia’s wife also lamented on the fact that they can't even match the media blitz of Peña against her husband.
"We're the ones aggrieved now. But we can’t do anything about it. Magsy is powerful and we cannot match his millions plus connections above. So for the sake of our children, we just hold on to the Lord. The Lord is our strength right now," she said, adding, "God witnessed the event and He knows who's telling the truth."
Miracle
But Peña also stressed that God was with him during the ambush.
That's why all the bullets that hit my body had "disintegrated," he said.
"I know God is with me when Samsom ambushed me. And because I survived, I know that God has still a lot of purpose for me," Peña also said.
But Mondia’s wife countered, "The truth will prevail. And we expect a miracle to happen soon."
Clean record
As to the allegation of Peña that the Mondias are the ones behind the illegal drug business in their town using the Pulupandan port as point of entry for the supplies, Mondia’s said, "I know my husband. He has a clean record. Magsy is free to check at the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and see if Samson has a bad record there."
Time for everything
Peña said, "There's always a time for everything. A time to laugh and a time to weep."
After all, he stressed, "Revenge is not mine but it’s only for the Lord."
Failed assassin
"But my only message to Samson Mondia is: Sorry guy, you're a failed candidate and a failed assassin of mine," Peña said.
Meanwhile, Peña said the ambush did not only injure him and kill his two companions but also make him and instant daddy for 13 children. Five kids from his slain driver, Jose Moril Merced and eight from his bodyguard, Ronnie Gegavine.
"I promise to support them and send them up to college," he said.
