PNP readies murder raps vs killers of Pampanga couple

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is preparing to file murder complaints against two former policemen and others involved in the abduction and killing of beauty pageant candidate Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend, Yitshak Cohen.

PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco said they are currently coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation to solidify the case.

“We are collating some more evidence and statement dahil tinitiyak namin na dito (land dispute) nagsimula sa motibo na ito ang pagpatay sa mga mag nobyo,” Francisco said during a press conference on Monday, where Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. also presented suspects Michael Angelo Guiang and Rommel Abuzo to the public.

(We are collating some more evidence and statements because we want to make sure the killing of the couple started from this motive.)

READ: 5 persons of interest in Geneva Lopez, boyfriend’s slay under custody

“With the help of the DC (Department Circular) 20 provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ), nagkakaroon kami ng case conference with the NBI […] and in the next two days ma-i-file namin ang criminal complaints for two counts of murder against Guiang, Abuzo and other John Does,” he added.

(With the help of the DC 20 provided by the DOJ, we are having a case conference with the NBI […], and in the next two days, we will file criminal complaints for two counts of murder against Guiang, Abuzo, and other John Does.)

According to the police’s report, Guiang and Abuza were assigned to Angeles City police at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic but were dismissed from service after they went AWOL or absent without leave.

READ: Pampanga couple slay: 2 ex-cops held on gun raps

Francisco said the ex-police officers met with Lopez and Cohen and shot them over a land dispute.

Aside from Guiang and Abuza, police said another suspect in the Pampanga couple’s slay named Jeffrey Santos was also arrested.

Earlier, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil disclosed that two more persons of interest surrendered to authorities and gave their statements to the police.

A total of seven people are allegedly involved in the killing of Lopez and Cohen and that two of them are still at large, according to police.

Last July 6, the PNP announced that the CIDG and Tarlac police recovered the dead bodies of Lopez and Cohen in a quarry site in Barangay Sta. Lucia in Capas town in Tarlac province two weeks after the couple disappeared on June 21.