BIEN UNIDO, Bohol - It was a tearful flag raising ceremony in this town on Tuesday as officials and employees held the regular rites for the first time without their mayor.

Bien Unido Mayor Gisela Boniel went missing on Wednesday after she was allegedly kidnapped and killed by her husband, Bohol Provincial Board Member Niño Rey Boniel. Her body, reportedly dumped at sea, has yet to be found.

• LOOK: Mugshots of slain Bohol mayor's husband

Vice Mayor Rene Borinaga, now the town's Acting Mayor, shed tears during her speech.

"Kabalo ko nashock ta tanan hasta ako di gihapon makatuo, sa tinud-any nanginahanglan ko sa inyong tabang kay karon galutaw pako wa ko kabalo unsa akong buhaton, magtinabangay lang ta," said Borinaga.

(I know you are all in shock, even I could not believe it. Honestly, I really need your support because, right now, I feel as if I'm floating. I don't know yet what to do. Let's just all work together.)

She also assured the residents of Bien Unido that despite the challenges they are facing right now, all transactions and services at the town hall will not be affected.

Borinaga, together with the Council and Department Heads, decided to send more technical divers and to release funds to fast track search and retrieval operations for Mayor Boniel's body, reportedly thrown in the waters off Caubian Island in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.