(UPDATE) THE driver of the SUV used to transport the bodies of beauty queen Geneva Sarita Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen to Tarlac, where they were buried, will be a state witness against two policemen who are the principal suspects in the case.
The driver, identified as “Jess,” said he told the authorities where the bodies were buried because he was bothered by his conscience, an official said.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco said the driver was one of the persons of interest in the case.
The two policemen implicated in the case have been arrested and are in police custody.
“Jess” said that he was hired to drive the SUV for the two principal suspects, who were said to be policemen who had gone AWOL (absent without official leave).
CASE BREAKTHROUGH Scene of the Crime Operatives retrieve one of two bodies unearthed in a remote area in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Capas, Tarlac, on July 6, 2024. The bodies were later confirmed to be those of Pampanga beauty pageant candidate Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen, who both went missing on June 21. PHOTO COURTESY OF CIDG
He said that he was surprised when he saw two bodies at the back of the SUV. Fearing for his safety, he did what he was told by the two policemen.
He said he told the suspects of a place where to bury the bodies, and they proceeded to a quarry in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Capas, Tarlac.
Francisco said that while “Jess” is now a state witness, he is not yet off the hook.
He said “Jess” was just one of those who gave information, and they were still determining how else he participated in the crime.
Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil assured the public that justice would be served to the families of Lopez and Cohen.
PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Jean Fajardo said that authorities now have five persons of interest in the case.
“The investigation is not over yet because, if you remember, the CIDG said that they have more or less seven initial persons of interest, and they are still doing the SITG investigation, and we still have a few people that we are looking for,” Fajardo said in Filipino.
The Embassy of Israel in Manila said it was confident that the authorities would bring to justice the killers of Cohen and Lopez.
The embassy issued the statement on Sunday following the discovery of the bodies of Cohen and Lopez in Barangay Sta. Lucia. Cohen and Lopez went missing last week.
The embassy thanked the authorities “for their relentless efforts in investigating and locating the couple.”
Abalos said the two police officers were arrested Sunday after the cadavers were found Saturday morning and later identified as Lopez and Cohen.
“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 said.
Marbil said the Special Investigation Task Group’s “tireless work” reflected their commitment to the rule of law. “We stand firm in our pursuit of justice for all victims of heinous acts,” he said.
Francisco said they were looking at three possible motives for the killings but declined to say what they were until the PNP and DILG make a formal announcement Monday.
WITH FRANCISCO TUYAY
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