By Chris V. Panganiban
Inquirer Mindanao Bureau
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur–The Communist Party of the Philippines–North Central Mindanao Region (CPP-NCMR) has acknowledged the death of senior cadre Julia Cagadas-Lastimosa, alias “Ka Rida,” along with three other New People’s Army (NPA) members following an armed encounter with government forces in Barangay Bakingking, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, on September 12.
The acknowledgment was contained in a statement released by the CPP-NCMR and circulated through communist movement information channels. The statement identified the fatalities as Julia Cagadas-Lastimosa, alias “Ka Rida”; Rocha Mae Bihag, alias “Ka Maki”; Tiloy Basahon, alias “Ka Doydoy”; and Ringo Lindayo, alias “Ka Kikoy.”
The CPP-NCMR statement came after the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division reported that four members of the communist armed group were killed during an encounter in Barangay Bakingking. The military identified Cagadas, also known as “Rheda,” as the secretary of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) and a key leader of the NPA in Northern Mindanao.
According to the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, the operation involved troops from the 403rd Infantry Brigade, including elements of the 1st Special Forces Battalion and 8th Infantry Battalion. The military said the encounters began early morning on September 12 after government troops received information regarding the presence of armed NPA members in Barangay Bakingking.
The first engagement reportedly occurred at around 5:30 a.m., when soldiers from the 1st Special Forces Battalion encountered members of the NPA’s Headquarters Force Neo of the NCMRC. A subsequent encounter took place at around 12:20 p.m., when troops from the 8th Infantry Battalion engaged the same group, followed by pursuit operations involving Special Forces elements.
The CPP confirmed the identities of those killed but did not provide operational details of the encounter, including the circumstances leading to the clash or any reported casualties on the side of government forces.
In its statement, the CPP described Cagadas-Lastimosa as a long-time cadre who had been involved in the communist movement since the early 1980s. The group said she was from Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City, and had previously worked as an organizer among youth, workers, urban poor communities, and farmers before becoming a party cadre and NPA officer.
The CPP also said Cagadas-Lastimosa operated under several aliases in parts of Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Norte, and Bukidnon. The military, meanwhile, described her death as a significant loss to the NCMRC leadership structure.
The group also provided background information on the three other fatalities. It identified Bihag as a former student of Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology and claimed she became involved in the communist movement after experiencing discrimination related to her sexual orientation.
Basahon, according to the CPP, was from Gingoog City and became involved in the movement following a family land dispute. The group said he had previously been arrested and detained in connection with an explosives-related case before joining the NPA.
Lindayo was described by the CPP as coming from a revolutionary family and serving as the close-in security aide of Cagadas-Lastimosa. The group claimed that two of his siblings had also died while participating in the communist movement.
Following the deaths, the CPP-NCMR called on its supporters to hold memorial activities for the four members and urged them to continue what it described as the “rectification movement.” The group also used the statement to criticize the government over alleged land issues, corruption, and the presence of US military facilities in the Philippines.
The Philippine Army said the encounter was part of continuing operations against communist armed groups operating in the area. Military officials later described Cagadas’ death as a major blow to the NCMRC leadership, citing her position as a regional-level cadre.
The CPP serves as the political organization of the communist movement, while the NPA functions as its armed wing. The Philippine government has designated both organizations as terrorist groups and continues security operations against remaining communist insurgents.
The CPP-NCMR acknowledgment confirms the deaths of four NPA members, including a senior regional leader, but did not disclose further details regarding the armed encounter beyond the identities of those killed.
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