Prime suspect in Gisela Boniel case transferred to Cebu jail

Lawyer Gerardo Carillo talks to his client, Bohol Provincial Board Member Rey Niño Boniel, shortly after the latter was transferred from the Talibon District Jail in Bohol to the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) on Thursday. PHOTO/LITO TECSON

CEBU CITY – In compliance with the directive of the Supreme Court (SC), Bohol Provincial Board Member Niño Rey Boniel was shipped from the Talibon District Jail in Bohol to the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) on Thursday.

Niño, the prime suspect in the disappearance of his wife, Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Boniel who had been presumed dead, arrived at Pier 3 in Cebu City around 1 p.m., said his lawyer Gerardo Carillo.

The accused was escorted by jail officers of the Talibon District Jail where he was detained for about six months.

Niño was placed in a regular detention cell at the CPDRC in Barangay Kalunasan, here.

Carillo said they earlier opposed the High Court’s order to transfer Niño to Cebu City but eventually acceded to it.

“We find it convenient for purposes of security, and that it would be easier for us if the two cases are consolidated. We’re here to follow the Supreme Court’s directive,” he said in a phone interview.

In November 2017, the High Court approved the request of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre and the camp of the victim to have the case for kidnapping and serious illegal detention against Niño transferred from Bohol to Cebu.

Gisela’s best friend Angela Leyson filed a case of kidnapping and serious illegal detention against Niño whom she accused of holding her and her son against their will inside a resort in Bien Unido. The charges would be consolidated with another case of parricide which is pending at a local court in Lapu-Lapu City which has jurisdiction over the part of the sea where Gisela’s body was reportedly dumped.

Charged with murder were Niño’s cousin Riolito, driver Randel Lupas, Wilfredo Hoylar, Restituto Magoncia Jr., Allan delos Reyes Jr. and Lobo Boniel.

The offense is non-bailable.

Gisela was allegedly shot in the head by Niño before her body was dumped into the waters off Caubian Island in Lapu-Lapu City at dawn of June 7, 2017.