Tension sparked between supporters of suspended Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte Mayor Rommel Arnado and Acting Mayor Aga Dimakuta outside the municipal hall on Sunday, January 12, 2025.

In a video footage, the supporters are seen throwing chairs at each other.

Several glass panels of the municipal hall were also broken.

Policemen responded immediately.

“Wala man ko motuo nga suspended siya kay wala man nakasakto proseso… dili ko mo kuan nga suspended siya,” Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Leader, “Kumander Dante,” said.

Prior to the incident, Arnado faced the public to address allegations against him. He was accompanied by his political allies and some leaders of the MNLF and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the province.

According to Arnado’s camp, the suspension order issued by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) must be approved first by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), based on the Omnibus Election Code.

Arnado’s camp also added that the acting mayor did not have a letter of assumption from the governor.

“Katong January 6 hangtod karon, naay mga tao nga nag-camping na sulod sa munisipyo nag-file mi ug issuance of Status quo ante order para mabalik sa dati nga sitwasyon ang loob sa munisipyo,” Arnado’s legal counsel, Atty. Nestle Agopitac, said.

Arnado maintains that he remains the mayor of the town.

“He should get out there because I am still the mayor. I have the freedom. I’m back now from vacation. I am back and I am on duty he should get out there. Attention to the PNP you should lead the way because that’s the law,” Arnado said.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to Dimakuta for a statement, as of this writing.

On December 27, 2024, the SP ordered Arnado suspended for 90 days for alleged grave abuse of authority.

The case stemmed from the complaint of the chairwoman of Barangay Bagumbayan who Arnado suspended for allegedly interfering in the operation of the water system in the barangay.