Geneva Lopez and Yitchak Cohen —PHOTO FROM PRESY CARREON LOPEZ FACEBOOK
MANILA, Philippines — The Israeli embassy in the Philippines expressed condolences to the families of Mutya ng Pilipinas Pampanga 2024 candidate Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend, Yitshak Cohen, whose remains were discovered in Tarlac on Saturday morning.
In a statement on Sunday, the embassy thanked the country’s law enforcement agencies for their efforts to locate the couple, who went missing last June 21.
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“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 Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Capas, Tarlac. Our heartfelt condolences go out to their families during this incredibly difficult time,” it said.
“We extend our gratitude to the 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 added.
According to the embassy, they have already coordinated with Cohen’s family and will assist them in returning his remains to Israel.
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“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Yitshak Cohen and Geneva Sarita Lopez. May their memories be a blessing,” it said.
Based on police reports, the two met with a middleman in Tarlac to check a 20.5-hectare agricultural land they had intended to buy.
They were last seen around 2 p.m. on June 21, while their gray Nissan Terra sports utility vehicle (SUV) was found burning along the Capas-San Jose Road in Cristo Rey village at 2:36 a.m. on June 22.
Police said they were also investigating seven persons of interest, including the middleman, who was later identified as a former police officer previously serving at the Angeles City Police Station.