ESPERANZA, Agusan del Sur — Four members of the New People’s Army (NPA), including a woman identified by the military as a top regional leader, were killed while three others surrendered following a series of armed encounters between government troops and remnants of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in the mountainous areas of Barangay Bakingking, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.
The clashes unfolded over several days, with the latest series of encounters occurring on September 12, 2026, involving troops from the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB), 26th Infantry Battalion (26IB), 1st Special Forces Battalion (1st SFB), and other units operating under the 403rd Infantry “Peacemaker” Brigade.
Among those reported killed was Julia Cagadas, alias “Ka Reda,” also known as “Rheda” and “Nanay,” whom the military identified as a top NPA leader in Northern Mindanao and secretary of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).
Also killed were Junie Mansiguiao, alias “Kikoy”; Gerald Basason, alias “Doydoy”; and Rocha Mae Mirafuentes Bihag, alias “Maki.”
The military said firearms, including high-powered weapons, were recovered from the slain NPA members following the encounters.
The military also placed a reported ₱5.3-million bounty on Cagadas, although the specific legal and administrative basis of the reward was not detailed in the information provided.
Series of encounters
According to the military’s account, the operation involved a series of encounters with an NPA group led by Cagadas.
The first clash took place on September 10, 2026, when troops of the 26th Infantry Battalion encountered NPA members in the vicinity of Palili Creek in Barangay Bakingking.
That initial encounter reportedly lasted for more than an hour. Initial reports at the time indicated that there were no confirmed casualties among government forces or the armed group.
The situation escalated two days later.
On the morning of September 12, troops from the 1st Special Forces Battalion engaged members of the group, resulting in the death of Mansiguiao, alias “Kikoy.” Soldiers recovered two firearms from the area, while three members of the armed group surrendered along with their firearms, according to the military.
The military said the remaining encounters occurred later as blocking forces from the 8th Infantry Battalion intercepted the fleeing members of the group.
The subsequent engagements developed into what the military described as a running battle through the mountainous terrain.
The clashes reportedly resulted in the deaths of three more NPA members — Cagadas, Basason and Bihag — and the recovery of three additional firearms.
This brought the reported number of NPA fatalities from the series of encounters to four, while three others surrendered.
Military says NPA group was attempting to penetrate cleared areas
The incident comes despite the Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) status declared in Caraga, prompting the military to emphasize that SIPS does not mean an area is completely free of security threats.
In a statement issued through Joint Task Force Diamond and the 4th Infantry Division, the military said the September 10 encounter demonstrated the ability of communities operating under the SIPS framework to identify emerging threats and coordinate with authorities.
The military stressed that SIPS is intended to signify a level of stability where civilian authorities, communities and other stakeholders take the lead in sustaining peace and development, while security forces remain prepared to respond to emerging threats.
According to the military, information provided by concerned residents allowed government troops to respond quickly and prevented the armed group from establishing a foothold in the community.
The 4th Infantry Division also rejected the interpretation that the presence of the NPA group represented a resurgence of the communist insurgency in Caraga.
Instead, the military characterized the group as displaced armed elements from Region 10 that had attempted to enter previously cleared areas in Caraga and undermine the region’s security gains.
The military said it would continue coordinating with local government units, law enforcement agencies, communities and other stakeholders while maintaining its readiness to address emerging security threats.
Bodies recovered; pursuit operations continue
Following the encounters, the bodies of three of those killed were reportedly brought to a funeral home in Esperanza.
The body of Cagadas, meanwhile, was transported to Bukidnon at the request of her family.
Military pursuit operations continued after the clashes as government forces tracked other members of the group who reportedly escaped from the area.
The incident highlights the continuing security challenges faced by remote communities even as authorities maintain that Caraga has achieved significant gains in internal peace and security.
While the military maintains that the encounters do not constitute a resurgence of insurgency in the region, the presence of armed NPA remnants in a previously cleared area underscores the need for continued coordination among security forces, local governments and communities to prevent armed groups from regaining a foothold.