Government troops successfully turned back a concerted effort by New People’s Army (NPA) remnants originating from Region 10 to penetrate and reestablish themselves in the Caraga Region, following a series of firefights that unfolded throughout the day of September 12, 2026, in Barangay Bakingking, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.
The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division confirmed that the operation, spearheaded by the 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade, ended with four NPA members killed — one of them a top-ranking regional commander — three rebels surrendering to government forces, and six high-powered firearms recovered from the area.
How the Engagements Unfolded
Fighting broke out in three distinct phases over the course of several hours, according to the 4th Infantry Division. The first engagement was initiated at approximately 5:30 in the morning, when soldiers of the 1st Special Forces Battalion made contact with the NPA’s Headquarters Force Neo of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) operating in the barangay.
A second encounter took place at around 12:20 in the afternoon, when the 8th Infantry Battalion clashed with the same armed group in the area. Less than an hour later, at approximately 1:00 p.m., elements of the 8th Infantry Battalion combined with Special Forces teams and launched pursuit operations, neutralizing three additional NPA members during those follow-through maneuvers.
Senior NPA Commander Among the Fallen
The most significant outcome of the operation was the neutralization of Julia Cagadas — identified by the Army as the Secretary of the NCMRC and the designated leader of the group that had attempted to cross into Caraga from Region 10. Cagadas used multiple aliases in the field, going by the names Rheda, Toyang, Yoko, and Kayuka.
Three other NPA members were also killed in the course of the operation. The 4th Infantry Division identified them as:
- Jonny Almonte Lindayo, alias Kikoy or Bugkoy
- Rochamae Bihag, alias Maki, who served on the Executive Committee of the NCMRC under the designation ED/PROD
- Gerald Basahon, alias Doydoy, a member of Squad 2 under Headquarters Force Neo of the NCMRC
Three Rebels Lay Down Arms
Separately, three NPA members opted to surrender to government forces during the course of the operation, the 4th Infantry Division reported. Those individuals were identified as:
- Cherelyn Cuarisma Magsayo, alias Lian, attached to Signal Communications under the Executive Committee of the NCMRC
- Marilyn D. Taquin, alias Mayumi or Mayang, a member of Squad 1 under Headquarters Force Neo, NCMRC
- Angelito Tahal Torres, alias Erin, who served as Platoon Medic and Team Leader under Headquarters Force Neo, NCMRC
Brigade Commander Highlights Coordinated Response
Brigadier General Seigfred C. Tubalado, Commander of the 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade, credited the outcome to the effective and synchronized deployment of the brigade’s various combat and specialized elements. He noted that the coordinated use of available forces allowed troops to sustain pressure on the armed group, decisively respond to each phase of the encounter, and ultimately deny the NPA any opportunity to gain a foothold in previously cleared territory.
The 403rd Brigade commander said the operation demonstrated that the brigade remains fully capable and ready to intercept displaced armed elements seeking to exploit gaps and reenter areas where security gains have already been established.
4ID Chief Urges Compassion Beyond the Battlefield
Major General Marion T. Angcao, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said the September 12 operation reaffirms the Division’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding communities and protecting the peace and security gains that have been achieved across the Caraga Region over time.
Beyond the tactical results, Major General Angcao also drew attention to the broader human dimension of the conflict. In a statement issued by the Division, he said: “Our troops have successfully fulfilled their mandate to protect our communities and preserve the peace gains we have achieved. With the threat contained, we must also look beyond the battlefield and help the families affected by this conflict. Extending compassion and assistance does not diminish our accomplishment; rather, it strengthens our resolve to end the cycle of violence, prevent further recruitment and exploitation, and ensure that no more lives and families are lost to insurgency.”
The general stressed that while neutralizing armed combatants is a military necessity, those who participate in the armed struggle are often individuals who have been recruited, influenced, or exploited — and that every casualty leaves behind a family bearing the weight of the conflict.
By the Numbers
- 4 NPA members neutralized during the September 12 operation
- 3 NPA members who voluntarily surrendered to government forces
- 6 high-powered firearms recovered at the scene
- 3 separate firefight phases, spanning from 5:30 a.m. to approximately 1:00 p.m.
Why This Matters
The successful operation directly disrupted a coordinated NPA effort to reenter the Caraga Region — an area that holds Stable Internal Peace and Security status — by using remnants from the NCMRC based in Region 10. The death of NCMRC Secretary Julia Cagadas, a senior NPA commander, represents a serious structural setback for the group’s regional command and its capacity to direct future infiltration attempts. According to the 4th Infantry Division, the military will sustain heightened vigilance across its area of operations to prevent further attempts at reestablishment and to continue supporting peace and development initiatives in the region.
Source: Philippine Army / 4th Infantry Division
