Authorities have arrested four suspects linked to the brutal murder of beauty queen Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend, Yitshak Cohen. According to Teleradyo Serbisyo, the arrests occurred in Tarlac on Thursday, March 20. Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo confirmed that the alleged mastermind was among those apprehended.
Investigations revealed that the mastermind had met with Lopez and Cohen shortly before they were reported missing. Despite the arrests, the families of the victims expressed that they are not yet ready to forgive the suspects, although they are grateful for the progress in the case.
The suspects are facing two counts of murder, although one remains at large. Lopez and Cohen were last seen on June 21, when the beauty queen informed her family that they were meeting someone in Capas, Tarlac, to inspect a property they were considering purchasing.
A day after they were reported missing, authorities from Capas Fire Station responded to a vehicle fire on a remote road in Tarlac. Inside the burnt sports utility vehicle, investigators discovered Lopez’s belongings, including her identification card. On July 6, authorities confirmed the deaths of Lopez and Cohen after discovering human remains in a secluded area.
During a press conference on July 8, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) named the suspects involved in the crime. Among them were former police officers Michael Guiang and Rommel Aboso, along with a civilian identified as Jeffrey Santos. DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos also disclosed that two additional individuals, known only by their aliases “Junjun” and “Dondon,” voluntarily surrendered to authorities.
Guiang and Aboso had been dismissed from the police force in 2020 and 2019, respectively, after going absent without official leave (AWOL). PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Leo Francisco stated that the three suspects were already in custody for unrelated cases involving illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Lopez, who represented Sto. Tomas in the Mutya ng Pilipinas Pampanga 2024, was a beloved figure in her community. Her tragic death, along with Cohen’s, has left a lasting impact on their families and supporters. Authorities are continuing their efforts to apprehend the remaining suspect and ensure that justice is served.