NPAs ambush, kill former comrade who joined army

SAN MARIANO, Isabela – The chairman of Barangay Dibuluan here, a former rebel returnee who joined the military was ambushed and killed by New People’s Army guerillas here Oct. 31, a belated army report said.

The victim identified as Nicolas Collado was on his way back to his barangay when he was waylaid by NPA cadres along Sitio Culdoroy of the said village 4 p.m. that day. Army officials based at Camp Melchor, Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela said he was shot twice in his chest and in his thigh. His Cal.45 pistol was taken by the suspects.

Army officials said Collado was lured to join the NPA at age 15 and later became a cadre. Based on official records of his debriefing report after his surrender, he said he lost interest in the communist ideology so he decided to return to the folds of the law.

After his surrender, he participated in the anti-insurgency campaign of the military. He volunteered to serve as guide to the operating troops and became instrumental in some tactical victories against the communist terrorists. Because of his significant contributions in the anti-insurgency drive, he reportedly earned the ire of the NPA who included him in their liquidation list.

Earlier, he was abducted by NPA men at Sitio Villa Miranda together with a certain Juan Oliva. They were reportedly detained separately on small makeshift wooden cages designed for them to only squat or sit not having enough space for them to lie down. “From that cell, they were reportedly made to eat, sleep, urinate and stool,” army officials said. Army officials said they were beaten, tortured and not given enough food and water.

Collado escaped one night by using a sharp object to cut through the crude wooden cage to free himself and a certain Oliva. When he saw he opportunity, he grabbed an M16 rifle before they ran through the woods. When they reached their village, Collado turned over the rifle to the 21st Infantry Battalion.

That incident reportedly made him number one on the enemy hit list. He filed for candidacy and was unanimously elected as chairman of Dibuluan and mobilized the people against the NPA.

He later became a member of the 23rd Special CAFGU Active Auxiliary and this made it harder for the NPA to do him harm, army officials said. Several attempts to his life were carried out but Collado was reportedly well-trained to slip past them.

But on Oct. 31, NPA guerillas ambushed AND assassinated him. Investigations revealed Collado tried to defend himself but he was outnumbered and overpowered by NPA cadres. Collado left a wife and four children. The NPA, in a statement said Collado was found guilty for crimes against their “Hukumang Bayan.” Maj. Gen. Melchor J. Dilodilo, commander of the 5ID, expressed his sympathy to the bereaved families, relatives and friends of Collado saying the 5ID recognizes his selfless sacrifice and commitment to public service.