LAPU-LAPU - Authorities have recovered the boat used to dump slain Bien Unido, Bohol Mayor Gisela Boniel as authorities put on hold search efforts for the body for lack of proper equipment.

Blood stains were found on the boat when it was recovered on Malingin Island in Bohol. It was earlier reported that Boniel's body was taken by boat and thrown at sea off Caubian Island in Cebu Wednesday night.

The boat was supposedly used without the owner's permission, authorities said. The owner said he left the boat at the dock and was surprised that it was recovered on Malingin Island.

Meanwhile, search and retrieval operations for Boniel's body was temporarily suspended Saturday morning as officials sought more advanced diving equipment, a navy official said.

Lt. Mark Colina, Naval Special Operations Unit 5 commanding officer, said retrieval operations would need advanced technical diving equipment to go deeper into the ocean.

He said the Navy was also considering using a fish finder that could determine and identify objects as deep as 700 feet, Colina added.

Search and retrieval operation for Boniel's body will resume as soon as officials get familiar with operating the fish finder, he said.

Boniel's body was supposedly thrown from a boat after her husband, Provincial Board Member Niño Rey Boniel, allegedly shot her dead on Wednesday. Several witnesses have tagged the official in the shooting.

The suspect's mother, Marina, admitted that her son and the mayor were having marital problems, but refused to believe that the councilor could have killed his own wife.

• Read: Bohol town mayor killed; husband is prime suspect