CAPAS, TARLAC — A significant development has emerged in the murder investigation of Geneva Lopez, a beauty pageant candidate, and her fiancé, Yitzhak Cohen, with the surrender of a person of interest on Sunday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the individual, known only as Jess, was the driver for two former police officers who are the main suspects in the case. Jess led authorities to the location in Barangay Sta. Lucia where the bodies of Lopez, 27, and Cohen, 37, were discovered buried. Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda, who has been closely monitoring the case due to Lopez's origins in his province, confirmed the identification of the bodies found on Saturday.
Jess recounted to the police that he was hired to drive an SUV for the suspects, who are former officers that had gone AWOL (absent without official leave). He claimed to have been unaware of the bodies in the back of the vehicle until he saw them, and out of fear, complied with the suspects' orders. While Jess is currently considered a state witness, CIDG Director Francisco indicated that he might still face charges related to the deaths.
Further details about the case are expected to be disclosed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government on Monday. The two main suspects are already in custody; one of them was also arrested for illegal possession of firearms.
The PNP Public Information Office, led by Colonel Jean Fajardo, stated that there are five persons of interest in this ongoing investigation. Lopez and Cohen were last seen alive on June 21, reportedly visiting Barangay Armenia in Tarlac City to view a property they intended to purchase.