LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – A group of divers and members of the Philippine Coast Guard yesterday scoured the waters of Caubian Island, Lapu-Lapu City looking for the body of Bien Unido, Bohol mayor Gisela Boniel who was said to have been dumped into the sea by her husband early Thursday.
The police brought along Reolito Boniel, cousin of Giselda’s husband and incumbent Bohol board member Niño Rey Boniel during the operation yesterday that started at 7 a.m.
The 39-year-old Reolito told authorities he was the one who manned the pump boat where Giselda was shot and then thrown at sea off Caubian.
Reolito allegedly confessed that it was the victim’s husband who shot the lady mayor while they were onboard the pumpboat. The suspect earlier told the police it was Reolito who shot his wife.
Yesterday, a total of 18 divers, including members of the Sea Knight and a group of Korean technical divers scoured the seafloors of Caubian Island, the area where Reolito claimed the body was dumped.
The divers reached a depth of 150 meters and said the seafloor was very clear but there was no sign of the lady mayor’s body as of yesterday. Reolito said the body was tied with a huge stone, weighting about 30 kilograms, to make it sink into the seafloor.
Caubian Island is situated in the middle of the main island of Bohol and Mactan, Cebu.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 director Noli Taliño said the diving operation will continue until the body is found.
He also disclosed that the police are already preparing appropriate charges against Niño Rey and several others. The police is also considering making Reolito a state witness.
Elements of the Regional Intelligence Division of the PRO 7 arrested the board member inBohol Thursday morning.
(MARS W. MOSQUEDA, JR.)