Police on Sunday have released mugshots of Niño Rey Boniel, the prime suspect in the killing of his wife, Bien Unido, Bohol Mayor Gisela Boniel.
Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, Central Visayas police director, said Boniel and 4 others are facing charges of kidnapping with serious illegal detention. Parricide charges are also being prepared, he said.
Taliño said Boniel, a Bohol provincial board member, told him that it was his cousin, Ethan Boniel, who shot his wife. But Ethan denied the claims insisting it was Niño Rey shot the mayor.
“Ang sinasabi niya, nadulas noong una tapos bandang huli sabi niya tinapos na ni Ethan,” he said. “Si Ethan, siya ‘yung boat operator, binaril daw ni Ethan tapos tinulak niya sa dagat.”
(At first he’s saying she slipped then later on he said Ethan finished her off… Ethan is the boat operator. He said Ethan shot her then pushed into the sea.)
Police reports indicate that the mayor was first kidnapped by her husband and several others inside a dive camp in Bien Unido.
The slain town chief was at the time with a female friend, Angela Leyson.
Initial investigation showed that the Boniel couple had marital problems, police said.
After being shot, the victim’s body was dumped at sea. Police have been conducting retrieval operations to no avail.
Taliño said they have temporarily suspended the retrieval operations as they wait for help from the Philippine Navy, as the area where the mayor’s body was dumped is too deep.
“Ini-scan ng ating mga kasama sa Navy, aabot sa 700 feet. Kailangan na ng special equipment… Kung dumating ‘yan bukas ay magre-resume ang search and retrieval operations,” he said.
(Our Navy is scanning the waters, up to 700 feet. We need special equipment… If it comes tomorrow then we can resume the search and retrieval operations.)
Story: ABS-CBN News
