Defense failed to cross-examine Boniel slay witness

LAWYERS of former Bohol Provincial Board member Niño Rey Boniel failed to cross examine the main witness of the prosecution on the kidnapping case the former public official is facing in court.

During the continuation of the hearing of the case last Tuesday, March 26, the defense asked that they be given another time to cross-examine Randel Lupas, the main witness of the prosecution on the kidnapping case filed by the best friend of former Bien Unido mayor Gisela Boniel.

Apart from the kidnapping case, Boniel is also accused of parricide for the death of his wife, Gisela.

The prosecution ended the direct examination of Lupas, who used to be the municipal driver of Bien Unido, during the hearing on Tuesday, March 26.

Prosecution lawyer Amando Virgil Ligutan said they believe that the defense was not prepared that is why they did not proceed with the cross examination.

“We can observe a pattern on the part of the defense that they are not prepared and we can’t understand why because it’s their client who is incarcerated in court, If there is a team who should see to it that the proceedings is expedited, it should be the defense. But surprisingly, the prosecution, always come to court prepared but the defense always come to court unprepared and this morning is an example of unpreparedness of the defense,” he said.

Ligutan said that what is striking in the testimony of Lupas is when he was asked by Boniel to lie to the police to cover up Gisela’s disappearance.

Lupas said he was instructed by Boniel to tell the police, if they will look for Gisela, that he brought him to Tubigon Port for her trip to Cebu City.

When he was asked by the police for the first time about Gisela, Lupas said Bonie he had to lie as Boniel was in front of him.

“Namakak ko kay nahadlok ko kay board (Boniel) ug akong gi-ingnan ang police nga akong gihatod si mayor Gisela sa Tubigon pier,” he said.

Later in his testimony, Lupas said he was able to tell the police what really happened when he and Boniel were brought to the Bohol Provincial Police headquarters in Camp Francisco Dagohoy in Tagbilaran City.

At that time, he was separated from Boniel and had the chance to tell the police what really happened.

“For us that is a very striking testimony, a very crucial testimony from an eyewitness like Randel Lupas,” Ligutan added. (RVC)