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Bohol town mayor killed; husband is prime suspect

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Junrey Nadela, ABS-CBN News

<h3>Mayor&#x27;s body dumped at sea, says witness</h3><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1452610" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div><em>Ethan Boniel, cousin of the mayor&#x27;s husband, said Rey shot Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Boniel using his own gun. Video courtesy of Edgar Escalante.</em></div><p><strong>(UPDATED)</strong> The mayor of Bien Unido town in Bohol was killed Wednesday allegedly by her husband over personal problems, police said.</p><p>Authorities are now conducting search and retrieval operations to find the body of Mayor Gisela Boniel, who was shot dead and then dumped at sea by a group of men Wednesday, allegedly led by her husband Niño Rey Boniel.</p><p>Police on Thursday arrested the husband, a Bohol Provincial Board Member, the primary suspect behind the killing, said Police Regional Office-7 Chief Noli Taliño. </p><p>Investigation showed that the couple had marital problems, police said. </p><p>Niño Rey on Friday admitted they had marital problems but said he would never kill his own wife. He also swore to this in his affidavit. </p><p>Taliño, however, said Niño Rey admitted the crime in a casual conversation. </p><p>As of writing, Niño Rey and his lawyer, Atty. Leilani Villarino, refused to issue an official statement on Taliño&#x27;s statement. </p><p>Ethan Boniel, the suspect&#x27;s cousin, said Niño Rey shot the mayor using his own gun.</p><p>He told police that after Niño Rey shot his wife, he and several others put her body inside a net and tied it to a 30-kilo rock. He then drove the boat to Caubian Island in Cebu to dump the body.</p><p>He said he helped his cousin execute the crime because he was indebted to the provincial official. </p><p>Police reports indicate that the mayor was first kidnapped by her husband and several others inside a dive camp in Bien Unido.</p><p>The slain town chief was at the time with a female friend, Angela Leyson.</p><p>On Wednesday, men allegedly tried to enter the spa where the mayor was staying. Leyson, meanwhile, said she was tortured by the men and was forced to board a vehicle so she could go to Tubigon town, then ride a fast craft to Cebu. </p><p>Taliño said witnesses saw the mayor being asked to board a pump boat. From there, gunshots were heard.</p><p>He added that they are coordinating with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for the search and retrieval operation of Mayor Gisel&#x27;s body in Caubian Island.</p><p>He said they will be needing a fish finder from BFAR and more technical divers and volunteers to help in the operation. </p><p>The bad weather and the strong current prevented the team from finding Mayor Gisel&#x27;s body during the Thursday night and Friday morning dive.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_2_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_2" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1452608" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div><em>Divers are having difficulties searching for the body of Mayor Gisela Boniel in the sea surrounding Caubian Island in Lapu-Lapu City. They have asked for the help of the Philippine Coast Guard to retrieve the body. Video courtesy of Edgar Escalante, ABS-CBN News.</em></div>

<p>(UPDATED) The mayor of Bien Unido town in Bohol was killed Wednesday allegedly by her husband over personal problems, police said.</p>

(UPDATED) The mayor of Bien Unido town in Bohol was killed Wednesday allegedly by her husband over personal problems, police said.

Bohol town mayor killed; husband is prime suspect

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Bohol town mayor killed; husband is prime suspect

Junrey Nadela,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 08, 2017 06:39 PM PHT

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Updated Jun 09, 2017 07:56 PM PHT

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