PLACER, Surigao del Norte — Government troops scored another victory in their campaign against communist insurgency in the Caraga Region after the surrender of three New People’s Army (NPA) members led to the recovery of 11 high-powered firearms and several explosives in separate operations in Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur.
According to the Philippine Army, soldiers from the 48th Infantry (Guardian) Battalion (48IB) recovered one AK-47 rifle and several explosive materials following the surrender of Marvin Angcajas Pispiñan, alias “Manong/Miguel,” an active member of the Sub-Regional Sentro de Gravidad (SRSDG) Westland, under the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), on October 22, 2025.
Pispiñan surrendered at the 48IB Rear Command Post in Purok 12A, Barangay Poblacion, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur. During debriefing, he disclosed the location of an arms cache in Purok 1, Barangay Mahayag, Bayugan City, where troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, a black gallon containing 10 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, a blasting cap, and an improvised explosive device (IED).
Earlier, on October 16, 2025, two active NPA members — a couple identified as Caryl Engayas Flores, alias “Kayle/Jun,” and Glendolyn P. Himo, alias “Vic/RD,” — surrendered to troops of the 29th Infantry (Matatag) Battalion (29IB) at Purok 4, Barangay del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.
Their surrender led to the recovery of 10 high-powered firearms hidden in an arms cache at Barangay Alegria, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. The cache included three M203 grenade launchers, four M16 rifles, two AR-15 Colt assault rifles, one Firebird M4 rifle, six long rifle magazines, and 778 cartridges of 5.56mm ammunition.
The successful operations were made possible through the joint efforts of the 401st Infantry Brigade (401Bde), 901st Infantry Brigade (901Bde), and the Police Regional Office 13 (PRO-13).
Colonel Manuel Darius M. Resuello, Acting Commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade, lauded the surrenderers’ decision and the collaboration among security forces.
“These recent surrenders and recovery of firearms continuously degrade the NEMRC’s capability to sustain its operation while reinforcing the spirit of cooperation among the government forces committed in ending the insurgency in Caraga,” Resuello said.
He assured that the 901Bde remains steadfast in its mandate to protect the people and sustain peace and security in the region through the whole-of-nation approach — a strategy involving the concerted efforts of the military, police, and local government units.
Both the 901Bde and 401Bde are under the operational control of the Joint Task Force Diamond of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, which continues to lead operations toward achieving a completely insurgency-free Caraga Region.