POLICE released two employees of the Bien Unido municipal government on Thursday afternoon, August 17, almost a day after they were arrested in connection with the kidnap-slay of Mayor Gisela Bendong-Boniel.
Laywer Inocencio dela Cerna said his clients Lobo Boniel, 39, and Brian Sayson, 33, were not covered by the warrant of arrest issued by the Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court Branch 54 on Wednesday afternoon, August 16.
"It was a baseless arrest made by the police. The court ordered only the arrest of Etad Boniel, Randel Lupas, Wilfredo Hoylar and Restituto Maguncia," Dela Cerna said.
The arrest warrant was for a case of murder, a non-bailable offense.
Dela Cerna said they were considering charges against the officers who arrested his clients.
Lobo and Sayson were arrested by the Bien Unido Police at about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in barangays Poblacion and Nueva Estrella, Bien Unido, Bohol.
They were released at about 3 p.m. Thursday.
"I am happy that my clients, who were unlawfully arrested and detained for almost 24 hours have been released. I think the police have realized its most grievous mistake," he said.
Bendong-Boniel was allegedly shot dead by her husband, Bohol Board Member Niño Rey Boniel, on June 7 and her body dumped into the waters off Caubian Island in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. Her remains have not been found. (JOB/VoxPop Cebu)