Government troops successfully repelled a concerted effort by New People's Army remnants to push back into the Caraga Region on September 12, 2026, following a series of firefights in Barangay Bakingking, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur — an area that had already been cleared of insurgent presence. The operation delivered one of the most significant blows to the NPA's North Central Mindanao Regional Committee in recent memory.
The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division confirmed that soldiers under the 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade conducted the multi-phase operation, which resulted in four NPA members being neutralized — among them a top regional commander — three others surrendering, and six high-powered firearms recovered, according to an official statement from the division.
A Three-Phase Battle
Combat began early in the morning when the 1st Special Forces Battalion made first contact with members of the NPA's Headquarters Force Neo of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) at around 5:30 a.m. The armed group had apparently crossed from Region 10 in what military officials described as a deliberate bid to reestablish an insurgent presence in Caraga.
A second clash erupted at approximately 12:20 p.m. when the 8th Infantry Battalion encountered the same rebel unit in the area. Less than an hour later, at around 1:00 p.m., the 8th Infantry Battalion joined Special Forces teams in pursuit operations that led to the neutralization of three additional NPA members, the 4th Infantry Division reported.
Senior NPA Commander Killed in Operation
The most consequential outcome of the day's operations was the death of Julia Cagadas — known within NPA ranks by the aliases Rheda, Toyang, Yoko, and Kayuka. According to the 4th Infantry Division, Cagadas served as Secretary of the NCMRC and was identified as the overall leader of the armed group that attempted to penetrate Caraga. Her neutralization removes a senior figure from the NPA's regional command apparatus.
Three other rebels were also killed during the operation. The 4th Infantry Division identified them as:
- Jonny Almonte Lindayo, also known as Kikoy or Bugkoy
- Rochamae Bihag, alias Maki, ED/PROD, Executive Committee, NCMRC
- Gerald Basahon, alias Doydoy, member of Squad 2, Headquarters Force Neo, NCMRC
Three Rebels Lay Down Arms
Alongside those neutralized in combat, three NPA members chose to surrender to government forces during the course of the operation, the 4th Infantry Division said. They were identified as:
- Cherelyn Cuarisma Magsayo, alias Lian, Signal Communication, Executive Committee, NCMRC
- Marilyn D. Taquin, alias Mayumi or Mayang, member of Squad 1, Headquarters Force Neo, NCMRC
- Angelito Tahal Torres, alias Erin, Platoon Medic and Team Leader, Headquarters Force Neo, NCMRC
Brigade Commander Credits Coordinated Tactics
Brigadier General Seigfred C. Tubalado, Commander of the 403rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade, attributed the success of the operation to disciplined force coordination. He said the synchronized deployment of the brigade's infantry units and specialized capabilities enabled troops to respond swiftly, sustain pressure on the armed group, and ultimately deny the NPA any opportunity to gain a foothold in territories that had already been secured.
Tubalado added that the results of the September 12 operation reflect the brigade's sustained readiness to defend previously cleared communities from armed elements seeking to re-infiltrate those areas.
Division Commander Urges Compassion Beyond the Battlefield
Major General Marion T. Angcao, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, framed the operation as both a security achievement and a reminder of the human costs of armed conflict. In a statement released by the division, Angcao said the results demonstrate the Division's resolve to protect communities and preserve the peace and security gains Caraga has worked hard to achieve.
"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," Major General Angcao said.
Angcao also noted that many of those drawn into armed rebellion were recruited, manipulated, or exploited — and that every casualty leaves behind a family bearing the burden of the conflict. He urged continued attention to the welfare of those families even as military operations proceed.
By the Numbers
- 4 NPA members neutralized in the operation
- 3 NPA members who surrendered to government forces
- 6 high-powered firearms seized by troops
- 3 separate combat engagements, spanning from 5:30 a.m. to approximately 1:00 p.m. on September 12, 2026
Why This Matters
The September 12 operation dealt a direct and measurable setback to the NPA's attempt to reenter and consolidate a presence in the Caraga Region, which holds Stable Internal Peace and Security status — a hard-won designation that authorities have sought to protect. The death of NCMRC Secretary Julia Cagadas, the NPA's top commander for the infiltration attempt, significantly weakens the group's regional leadership structure. According to the 4th Infantry Division, the military will maintain heightened vigilance against further infiltration attempts while continuing to support peace-building and development programs across its area of responsibility.
Source: Originally reported by Philippine Army / 4th Infantry Division official statement, as published by wire reports