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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Two ex-cops linked to killing of beauty queen, Israeli partner; Marbil assures justice will be served

Two ex-cops linked to killing of beauty queen, Israeli partner; Marbil assures justice will be served

Published Jul 6, 2024 10:22 am

Authorities are looking into the possible involvement of two former policemen in the killing of Pampanga beauty queen Geneva Sarita Lopez and her Israeli partner Yitshak Cohen whose cadavers were exhumed in a remote area in Tarlac on Saturday morning, July 6.

This, as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has commited to solving what he described as heinous acts committed against the two victims who were first reported missing on June 21.

"The SITG’s tireless work reflects our commitment to the rule of law. We stand firm in our pursuit of justice for Geneva and Yitshak and all victims of such heinous acts,” said Marbil.

In an interview over dzBB, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said the two former policemen are now under the custody of the police while investigation is ongoing to identify other people involved in the incident.

Earlier, police investigators said a former policeman is the subject of a thorough investigation after he was identified as the middleman in the supposed purchase of 20 hectares of agricultural land in Capas, Tarlac.

Lopez and Cohen were supposed to meet a middleman in the purchase of the land on June 21. They went missing since then and suspicions that something bad happen to them after their car was found burning in a remote area in Capas town.

Marbil said the discovery of the burial site of Lopez and Cohen was a result of the intensive investigation by a special probhe team that the PNP created to immediately solve the case.

"The SITG has been instrumental in piecing together the events leading to the couple's disappearance and ensuring that every lead was meticulously followed. Their efforts have been crucial in bringing this case to light, and their work continues as the investigation proceeds,” said Marbil. 

Abalos also assured the public of the government's commitment to justice: "This heartbreaking discovery underscores our unwavering resolve to bring justice to all victims. We will not rest until those responsible are held accountable. Justice will be served."

The CIDG earlier reported the recovery of the two bodies in a remote area in at Barangay Sta Lucia, Capas, Tarlac at around 7 a.m. on Saturday, adding that it was a result of the implementation of the search warrant relative to exhumation of the two cadavers that was issued by a Tarlac City court.

“As a result, the Tarlac Provincial Forensic Unit led by Police Major Angelito S Angel were able to exhume and recover the two (2) cadavers believed to be the bodies of Geneva Sarita Lopez and Yitshak Cohen,” the report read.

Police said the two cadavers were brought to the Lutos Funeral located in Barangay San Vicente, Tarlac City and will be subjected to autopsy examination and DNA testing and analysis.

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