MANILA, Philippines — The bodies of Pampanga beauty queen Geneva Lopez and her Israeli fiancé Yitshak Cohen each bore two gunshot wounds, according to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago.
In a dzBB radio interview yesterday, Santiago said that based on the autopsy report, Lopez was shot in the back of the body and her left thigh, causing a fracture.
The report also stated that a “metallic slug” was recovered from her body and was submitted to the Firearms and Toolmarks Identification Division for ballistic examination.
Cohen’s body bore gunshot wounds in his left chest and near his armpit.
Santiago said that the lead agency in the investigation is the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), with the NBI collaborating to provide forensic assistance.
The NBI director confirmed that the bodies found in Capas, Tarlac have been identified by the victims’ families based on their clothing and body markings.
The bodies were in a state of decomposition when discovered, necessitating identification procedures such as autopsies, according to Santiago.
“So far, the family recognized them based on their clothes and marks on the body, but the bodies were already decomposing when we saw them, so we really need to be able to identify the corpses,” he said.
He added that the CIDG is still determining whether the crime was committed at the site where the bodies were found or if they were dumped there afterwards.
The couple was last seen alive on June 21 when they were reportedly heading to Capas, Tarlac to purchase a piece of land before their disappearance.
Their car was discovered in flames early the following morning along a road beside a grassy field in Capas.
Santiago suggested that a land dispute might have motivated the crime.
Key witness
In a phone interview with reporters, CIDG director Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco confirmed that a key witness is currently in their custody.
The witness, who is a driver, provided significant information about the case, according to Francisco.
“He is one of the individuals who gave us information, but we are still determining his exact participation. He is not yet off the hook,” Francisco said.
He also confirmed that two police officers who are absent without official leave are also in CIDG custody.
Francisco emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and all individuals involved are still considered persons of interest.
Condolences
Meanwhile, the Israeli embassy in Manila yesterday expressed condolences to the families Lopez and Cohen.
“The Embassy of Israel in Manila is deeply saddened by the tragic discovery of the cadavers of Israeli citizen Yitshak Cohen and his partner, Geneva Sarita Lopez, in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Capas, Tarlac. Our heartfelt condolences go out to their families during this incredibly difficult time,” the embassy said in a statement.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Yitshak Cohen and Geneva Sarita Lopez. May their memories be a blessing,” it added.
The embassy thanked Philippine authorities for their relentless efforts in investigating and locating the couple.
“We are confident that the authorities will thoroughly investigate this tragic incident and bring those responsible to justice,” it said.
The embassy is coordinating with Cohen’s family and will provide assistance for the repatriation of his remains.
CIDG operatives found the victims’ decomposing on a lot in Barangay Sta. Lucia at around 7 a.m. last Saturday. They carried out the operation based on a search warrant issued last Friday by Judge Edwin Bonifacio of Tarlac City Regional Trial Court Branch 111.
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil vowed to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice. — Pia Lee-Brago