THE DNA from the blood found on the motorized banca reportedly used to transport Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Boniel to the area where she was dumped matched with that of the saliva swab taken from the mayor’s mother.
The Police Regional Office (PRO)-Central Visayas confirmed this in a press statement Wednesday evening, saying: "The result has concluded that the source of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profile obtained from the cotton swabs with alleged blood stains taken from the motor boat cover is CONSISTENT with having come from an offspring of the mother of the late Mayor Gisela Boniel."
Police took saliva swabs from Gisela's mother and siblings to test the (DNA) blood sample taken from the banca and to find out whether the seacraft was the one used by the suspects.
Reports said that Bohol Board Member Nino Rey Boniel shot his wife, Gisela, onboard the banca. The mayor's body was allegedly dumped in the waters of Caubian Island in Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, on June 7.
Niño Rey, though, has maintained his innocence to charges that he killed his wife.
Inocencio de la Cerna Jr., one of Niño Rey's lawyers, said: "It is quite surprising that the press release of PRO 7 relative to the alleged DNA test is bare-faced and does not have an attachment showing more specific details and/or a formal medical report about the alleged result."
"On our part, to end all speculation and conjecture, it would have been prudent that the actual results be made public," he added.
He also said that as far as the case is concerned, "we may avail of a more independent, unbiased and qualified re-testing of the evidence obtained. It is the constitutional right of the accused to question the circumstances under which this evidence was obtained and gathered in the chain of custody." (JOB/KAL/SunStar Philippines)