Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Boniel was reportedly kidnapped and killed while her husband Provincial Board Member Niño Rey Boniel has been tagged as the mastermind behind the crime.

According to Angela Leyson, Gisel’s friend, the mayor was shot dead by Niño’s younger brother.

Meanwhile, Gisela’s death was confirmed by the police Regional Intelligence Division 7 chief Senior Supt. Jonathan Cabal this morning.

In her statement, Leyson noted that she and Gisela were kidnapped by eight men including Niño on June 7 at 2 a.m.

Leyson was reportedly then let out alone in Tubigon on the same day.

According to Police Regional Office 7  director Chief Supt. Noli Talino, Niño is now under the custody of the PRO 7 in Cebu.

Three others including Nino’s driver have also been arrested, said Talino.

However, Gisela’s death has not yet been confirmed by Bohol Provincial Police Office director Sr. Supt. Felipe Natividad as of 2 p.m. today.

Natividad noted that they are still searching for the mayor.

Efforts to get the side of Niño was blocked by PNP personnel who were under orders to put him “incommunicado.”

Authorities were tight-lipped when asked by the Chronicle the reason for the provincial board member’s transfer to Cebu City.

Gisela was a commercial pilot of Philippine Air Asia with a rank of captain and won the May 2016 mayoral election by a wide margin over three other candidates.

She gained national commendation for outstanding airmanship on February 28, 2016 after steering an Air Asia plane to safety at Mactan International Airport despite only one running engine. (with reports fromAllen Doydora and Chito Visarra)