Authorities have recovered the remains of Geneva Lopez, a beauty queen, and her Israeli fiancé Yitzhak Cohen, who had been missing for two weeks.
The Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) discovered the decomposed bodies of a man and a woman at a remote quarry site in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Capas, Tarlac, on Saturday morning.
Police Lt. Col. Librado Manarang Jr, chief of the Capas Municipal Police Station, reported that the bodies were identified by relatives of Lopez and Cohen, following crucial information provided by a key witness.
Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda confirmed the discovery of Lopez and Cohen’s bodies, based on reports from the police.
“Police confirmed this based on clothing and their personal possessions,” he said in a statement released by the Pampanga public information office.
“We will pray for their souls. We offer our condolences to the families. We will continue to seek justice for Geneva and Yitzhak,” he added.
Authorities plan to conduct further investigations, including autopsies to determine the cause of death, as well as DNA testing and analysis.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos emphasized 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,” Abalos stated.
Lopez and Cohen were last seen on June 21, traveling in an SUV towards Tarlac for a land transaction. The SUV was later found burned and abandoned in Barangay Cristo Rey, Capas, early on June 22.
The Philippine National Police have identified seven persons of interest in the case, including the middleman involved in the property transaction.