Bohol town mayor kidnapped, allegedly killed by husband

The mayor of Bien Unido town in Bohol was allegedly abducted and killed by her own husband on Wednesday at dawn over their personal problems.

According to a report by Victoria Tulad on Unang Balita on Friday, authorities arrested Bohol Provincial Board Member Niño Rey "In-In" Boniel, the primary suspect for the killing of his wife, Mayor Gisela Boniel.

The authorities acted following a tip from the victim's friend, Angela Leyson, who said that Niño orchestrated the kidnapping and killing of his own wife.

Leyson could not help but be emotional upon seeing the suspect at the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, Cebu City.

"P— mo, ito ba 'yung sinasabi mong meron kang koneksyon? I'll bring you down..." Leyson shouted at the suspect.

According to Leyson, a group of armed men entered their room inside a resort on Wednesday at dawn.

"Tinutukan ako dito (ulo), ni-wrap ang mukha ko ng duct tape, halos hindi ako makahinga...tinaser ako dito (leeg)," Leyson said.

Leyson added that Mayor Boniel was able to identify one of the abductors, allegedly her husband.

The report said that Mayor Boniel also appealed to her abductors not to involve Leyson as her child is in the other room.

Meanwhile, another close friend identified the car that was used during the incident. It was said to be owned by Niño.

After Mayor Boniel was abducted, Leyson along with her child were brought inside the van of Randell Lopas, the driver of the victim, in order to bring them to Tubigon, Bohol.

Leyson said that she was not able to see her friend following the incident. She said she received reports saying that Mayor Boniel has been killed.

"I just heard the latest news that she's dead," Leyson said.

She added that the couple has been experiencing personal problems for a long time.

"Matagal na silang may alitan ng asawa niya. She really wants to leave dahil ginagamit lang siya with the position that she has," she said.

The suspect, Niño, for his part said that he has yet to consult a lawyer regarding the matter.

"Kokonsulta muna 'ko sa lawyer. Bigyan niyo muna ako ng oras. Anyway, in due time magbibigay ako ng statement," Niño said.

Niño was a former mayor of Bien Unido. After his three-year term, his wife ran for the same position.

Meanwhile, the van driver denied being involved in the incident.

"Hindi ko alam, sir. Blind ako sa pangyayari. Natulog lang ako sa sasakyan. Hinatid ko lang si Angela sa Tubigon," Lopas said.

Authorities said the body of Mayor Gisela Boniel was dumped in the sea of Lapu-Lapu City. However, authorities have yet to recover it as of posting time.

"Base sa ating investigation ay lumalabas na pinatay itong si Mayor pero magco-conduct tayo ng search operations doon sa sinasabing pinagtapunan," C/Supt. Noli Taliño, PRO 7 Director, said. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG, GMA News