Persons of interest identified in missing case of Pampanga beauty queen and Israeli boyfriend

Police investigations continue for missing Pampanga beauty pageant contestant Geneva Lopez, 27, and her Israeli boyfriend, Yitshak Cohen, 37, who went missing last June 21.

Following a previous development that surfaced from a burnt SUV found in Tarlac, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday, July 2, that they have recently identified persons of interest behind the disappearance of the couple.

“Sa persons of interest, hindi pa po tayo makapagbigay ng additional na detalye. Pero initially, may mga identified na po tayo na persons of interest,” PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing, as quoted by GMA News on its report.

The Kapuso news outlet further reported that PNP chief General Rommel Marbil has ordered the creation of a special investigation task group (SITG) to investigate the disappearance of the couple.

The task group is reportedly composed of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Highway Patrol Group (HPG), Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), and Forensic Group (FG), among others.

Additionally, GMA News reported that Cohen’s family is offering a P250,000 reward to anyone who can provide information on the missing couple.

Last June 24, the Mutya ng Pilipinas Pampanga Organization announced that one of their candidates for Mutya ng Pampanga 2023, who represents the municipality of Santo Tomas, had gone missing since June 21, along with her boyfriend.

The organization further clarified that there were no scheduled activities on the said date as it was designated for the candidates’ rest.

They are currently working closely with police authorities for updates and are appealing to the public for any information that could help locate her.

According to The Philippine STAR’s report, Lopez’s sister, Joni, informed the Angeles City police that her sister and her boyfriend went to Capas, Tarlac on June 21 to settle matters involving money.

Lopez and Cohen are residents of Barangay Malbanias in Angeles City.

On June 25, authorities confirmed that personal belongings of Lopez were discovered inside a burnt car in Barangay Cristo Rey in Capas.

STAR reported items found at the scene included a pouch containing Geneva’s ATM and identification cards.

The burnt car was found unoccupied, and her family confirmed that it was the vehicle used by the Geneva and Yitshak. The police are currently investigating information that the couple traveled to Capas to collect a debt.

PLTCOL. Librado Manarang Jr., Chief of Capas Police Station, stated as quoted by PEP in its report, “Nagpunta dito yung tao na kakatagpuin ng mga victims. Nakuhanan natin ng statement pero for verification ang statement niya.”

Relatives of Geneva are appealing for any information that could help locate the missing couple. A relative reportedly spoke with Geneva at noon on June 21, when she mentioned they were heading to Capas, Tarlac, to collect a debt.

PMAJ. Vicky Tamayo, Station Commander of Angeles City Police Office (ACPO) Station 4, said, “Ang missing person natin [ay ang] babae na kapatid nitong ating reportee. Sabi [ng missing person sa kanya], ‘Pupunta po ako ng Capas maniningil ako… pautang po.’”