CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—Authorities discovered the bodies of two weeks missing Mutya ng Pilipinas-Pampanga candidate Geneva Sarita Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen in Capas, Tarlac on Saturday morning.
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Atty. Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PGen Rommel Francisco Marbil are saddened as they announced the discovery of the cadavers of the victims who had been missing for almost two weeks now.
Lopez, 27, is a Mutya ng Pilipinas-Pampanga candidate. Cohen, 37, is an Israeli national.
They were reported missing last June 21, after meeting some individuals in Capas, Tarlac over land property concerns.
Their vehicle and personal belongings were found burnt and abandoned in Tarlac City on July 1.
The PNP immediately created a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) since their disappearance and had relentlessly worked to solve the double murder case.
Elements of SITG composed of CIDG Tarlac PFU, TPFU, CIDG RFU 3, CIDG MCIU, PIT-Tarlac RIU3, PIU TPPO and Capas MPS jointly implemented on Saturday Search Warrant No. 2024-016 issued by HON. EDWIN SUNGA BONIFACIO, Presiding Judge, Regional Trial Court, Third Judicial Region, Branch 111, Tarlac City on July 5.
The Tarlac Provincial Forensic Unit led by PMaj. Angelito Angel was able to exhume and recover the two cadavers from a parcel of land within a quarry site located in Brgy. Sta Lucia, Capas, Tarlac.
The remains of the victims were brought to Lotus Funeral located at Brgy. San Vicente, Tarlac City, and will be subjected to an autopsy examination and DNA testing/analysis.
The search warrant was implemented legally, peacefully, and orderly in the presence of Barangay Chairman Cesario David Bautista Jr. and Barangay Kagawad Ronald Pachico, both elected Barangay Officials of the said place.
Secretary Abalos emphasized the government’s commitment to justice, stating, “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.”
General Marbil echoed these sentiments, adding, “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”.
“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 SILG Abalos.
“The discovery of Geneva and Yitshak remains is a somber reminder of our duty to protect and serve the community,” the official added.
“We are committed to ensuring that justice prevails, not just in this case, but in all instances where the innocent suffer,” he stressed.
