Benedict ShianBonielMaglasang, son of 2nd District Bohol Board Member Mimi Boniel, has been falsely linked to a P514,000 drug bust operation in a fabricated social media post, the Bohol Provincial Police Office (PNP Bohol) confirmed Thursday.
In an official statement, PNP Bohol categorically denied claims made by “Bohol News Alert” (formerly named Bohol Capitol Alert) that the younger Boniel was involved in any drug-related incident, describing the allegations as “completely unfounded and malicious.”
Benedict Boniel, a student at Holy Name University and active youth leader, immediately addressed the false allegations through a mass report posted on Facebook.
“I have and had no involvement in the allegations mentioned in the post,” he said, citing his commitment to maintaining his integrity against what he called “baseless claims.”
The student’s academic record and community involvement paint a different picture from the malicious allegations.
He attended prestigious schools including Saint Louis College Cebu and University of San Carlos – North Campus before pursuing tertiary education at Holy Name University.
He is actively involved in various youth and civic organizations including JCI Bohol Sandugo and Bohol Island Leos Club.
Board Member Mimi BonielMaglasang denounced the fabricated report as “black propaganda” designed to discredit both her public service and her son’s reputation.
“Those behind this fake news must face the consequences of their actions,” she said, welcoming the police’s quick response to debunk the false information.
Bea Boniel, Benedict’s sister, provided a strong defense of her brother’s character.
“My brother is as healthy as I am, a teenager who does not drink, smoke or vape,” she posted on Facebook.
She challenged the creators of the false report to provide evidence for their claims and urged the public to report the page, which netizens alleged was created by “Capitol troll farms.”
PNP Bohol warned that individuals responsible for creating and spreading false information could face legal consequences.
“We strongly urge the public to exercise discretion and verify information before sharing on social media platforms,” the police statement said.
“The spread of false news causes unnecessary distress and damage to individuals and their families.”
BPPO has launched an investigation to identify the source of the false information.
Police officials are particularly wary about the increasing incidents of disinformation targeting public officials and their families on social media platforms.
PNP officials encouraged the public to rely solely on official government agencies, police reports, and legitimate media outlets for accurate information.
The Boniel family is considering legal action against the perpetrators of the false information.
Board Member Boniel’s office said they will utilize all available legal means to protect their family’s reputation and prevent similar incidents from recurring.
“This deliberate deception and dirty political strategy will not stop our family from serving the people of Bohol,” Board Member Boniel added, citing their commitment to public service despite the threats posed by disinformation.