Kauswagan mayor faces grave coercion, mischief charges

A municipal mayor in Kauswagan, Lanao Del Norte faces grave coercion and malicious mischief charges before the Sandiganbayan for alleged illegal demolition of houses in 2013.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor filed three counts of grave coercion under Article 286 of the Revised Penal Code against Mayor Rommel Arnado and Civil Service Unit members Lauro Diputado and Rey Camanian.

They were charged with taking advantage of their positions to prevent the Sambuat family from having shelter and peaceful living when they were evicted from their houses in Barangay Tacub through violence, threat and intimidation.

The Civil Service Unit upon Arnado’s orders and without legal authority demolished Sambuat’s shelters and took their possessions, the prosecution said.

The prosecution recommended a P10,000 bail for each count of grave coercion.

The respondents were also charged with three counts of malicious mischief charges under Article 327 of the Revised Penal Code when they allegedly destroyed the houses of the Sambuat family upon Arnado’s orders without legal authority.

The respondents destroyed the Sambuat family’s houses through arson and other crimes constituting destruction, to the damage and prejudice of the Sambuat family amounting to P40,000, the charge sheet read.

The prosecution recommended a P10,000 bail for each count of the malicious mischief charge. JE/rga