Officials leading the search and retrieval of the remains of Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Boniel are seeking financial assistance from the town’s local government unit and the provincial government of Bohol.

Senior Supt. Rommel Cabagnot, director of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO), told media that police in Cebu are “hoping” that budget for the operations would be augmented.

Based on reports, the Lapu-Lapu City government has already contributed an amount to shoulder some expenses of the operation.

Authorities scouring waters off Caubian Island near Olango Island in Cebu for the allegedly slain mayor’s body are on their sixth day of search and retrieval operations.

The divers and other operatives are already utilizing equipment such as a fish finder to boost its search capabilities but so far, to no avail.

In four days of using the gadget, authorities have still yet to locate the mayor’s body.

Earlier, Riolito “Etad” Boniel, the alleged pumpboat operator when Boniel’s remains was dumped into the sea, said that the suspects used a robust fish net to wrap the mayor’s body after she was shot dead.

Meanwhile, a parricide case is set to be filed before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office today against the killing’s primary suspect, Bohol Provincial Board Member Niño Boniel. (A. Doydora)