Police plan to make pump boat operator state witness in Bien Unido mayor slay case

Authorities are planning to make the pump boat operator a state witness in the slay case of Bien Unido, Bohol Mayor Gisela Boniel, a television report said Friday.

A report on GMA News TV's News TV Live quoted Riolito Boniel, the pump boat operator, as claiming that it was his cousin, Provincial Board Member Niño Rey "In-in" Boniel, who shot his own wife, Mayor Boniela.

Etad Boniel said that Mayor Boniel was unconscious when she was brought in his boat. The couple were able to talk when Mayor Boniel regained consciousness, but was subsequently shot by Niño Rey.

The same television reported said Etad claimed that the mayor's body was wrapped inside a fish net and was thrown in the sea with a 30-kilogram rock for it not to float.

Etad also alleged that the suspect gave him P10,000 in order for him to keep quiet.

Meanwhile, authorities have stopped their search operations for the body of Mayor Boniel due to the bad weather condition.

Earlier in the day, Senior Supt. Jonathan Cabal, head of the intelligence division of Region 7 Police Office, told radio dzBB that the killing of Mayor Boniel is now a closed case with the arrest of suspects, including her husband Niño.

Cabal said they now have five to six suspects under their custody, while they are still hunting down others.

Board member Boniel, for his part, claimed that it was his cousin Riolito who shot the mayor. — Marlly Rome Bondoc/RSJ, GMA News