Police investigating the killing of Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Boniel said that they are considering multiple possible motives behind the crime which was allegedly carried out by the victim’s husband, Provincial Board Member Niño Rey Boniel.
According to Police Regional Office 7 director Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, they are looking at financial, family and marital problems as the possible reasons behind the mayor’s murder.
“Allegedly merong 3rd party involved dito, kasi sabi ni BM Boniel nga itong si mayor ay may boyfriend,” said Taliño. “Kaya siguro lalong hindi sila nagka-intindihan at matagal na yung kanilang alitan at humantong dito na hindi na siguro nakayanan ni BM kaya nagawa niya ang krimen.”
The board member also reportedly narrated to Taliño that the mayor had not been active in her duties as local chief executive of Bien Unido.
“Base sa nanggaling na side ni BM Boniel nga itong si mayor palaging naka-leave at wala sa opisina at hindi na umuuwi sa kanila, at yun nga parang may problema sila sa pamilya, finances,” added Taliño.
The police official noted that reports indicating that Gisela was on the verge of filing a resignation as town mayor surfaced prior to her alleged killing.
“Balak ng mag-resign ni Mayor Boniel at magfa-file na ng annulment,” said Taliño.
However, Taliño clarified that they have not discounted other possible angles in the alleged murder particularly as seven suspects were reportedly involved in the crime.
As of this morning, four men have already been placed under police custody including the board member, his driver and boat operator for suspicion of involvement in Gisela’s murder.
Other persons of interest are also being monitored, said Taliño.
Meanwhile, search for Gisela’s body continued in waters off Olango, Lapu-Lapu City.
Police and volunteer divers were having difficulty in locating the body as this was reportedly bound by a fishing net together with heavy rocks as pointed out by Riolito “Etad” Boniel, the board member’s cousin, who was the boatman during the incident.
READ: Search for Bien Unido mayor’s body continues
According to Riolito who is also in police custody, there were four people on board the boat during the incident including himself, the mayor and the board member.
Gisela was shot and killed by the board member after they left a dive camp in Bien Unido on board a pump boat at dawn on Wednesday, said Riolito.
“I just heard the gunshot. He [Rey] was holding his own firearm,” added Riolito who also noted that no one else was holding a gun after the blast was heard. (Allen Doydora)