Saliva swab taken from Gisela sibling for DNA test

Police took swabs of saliva from one of the four siblings of Bien Unido, Bohol Mayor Gisela Bendong-Boniel last Wednesday.

The mayor was allegedly murdered by her husband Bohol Provincial Board Member Niño Rey Boniel last June 7.

Investigators aim to use the samples for the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing if the mayor's body is found under the water off Caubian Island, Lapu-Lapu City and for comparison to the bloodstains recovered from the pump boat where Niño allegedly shot dead Gisela.

Police Regional Office 7 Director Noli Taliño said the DNA tests will form part of their evidence against Niño.

Wider search range

“Ayon sa crime lab, mas maganda kung ang kanyang ina o kaya ang kanyang anak ang makunan ng saliva para sa DNA kasi mas madali ang pagcompare sa DNA niya (According to the crime lab, it would be quicker to compare DNA if they got the saliva sample of either Gisela's mom or child),” Taliño said.

He said the search for the mayor's body may reach the waters off Camotes, after the seven-day operations off Caubian proved futile.

“It is possible her body was carried far by the strong current. We are looking for a period of 15 days. We have gone out of the vicinity where the body was thrown. The radius got bigger. We are also considering the current where the body might have been brought," Taliño said in Tagalog.

Investigators under the Special Investigation Task Group Boniel held a case conference yesterday, discussing their roles in strengthening the cases against Niño and his alleged cohorts.

The police official also said that Gisela's relatives are satisfied with their investigation.