4 SUSPECTS, INCLUDING EX-COP, IN MURDER OF BEAUTY PAGEANT CANDIDATE, ISRAELI BF NABBED 

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga — Four suspects, including a former policeman, in the murder of beauty pageant bet Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen  in Tarlac last year were arrested in a series of police operations, Police Regional Office 3 Director Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said.

Fajardo said members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 3 (CIDG-RFU3) and the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) arrested Michael Angelo Guiang, a former police officer, in an operation in Bgy. San Francisco in Santa Ignacia, Tarlac.

The official said Guiang, the alleged mastermind, was nabbed based on a warrant for murder issued by the Capas Regional Trial Court Branch 109, with no  bail recommended.

Guiang reportedly acted as agent in a transaction involving the property of the victims.

Lopez and Cohen, who were from Pampanga, were last seen traveling to Capas, Tarlac in a sport utility vehicle being driven by the Israeli before they were reported missing in June 21,  2024.

The remains of the victims were found buried at a quarry site in Capas town on July 6, 2024.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday,  three other suspects were also served similar warrants of arrest.

The three were identified as Rommel Abuso and Jeffrey Santos, who are detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Tarlac City for a separate offense, and Jay Tacubanza, 41, who was caught in Bgy. Care, Tarlac.

Fajardo said a fifth suspect is being hunted.

Police said the suspects are facing two counts of murder.

The Central Luzon top cop commended the dedication and teamwork of the  CIDG RFU3 and the PRO3 in ensuring the suspects’ capture.

“These successful arrests reflect our commitment to bringing criminals to justice and ensuring that law and order prevail,” Fajardo said.

“Our collective efforts have brought us a step closer to securing justice for victims. We will continue to go after those who threaten public safety, using the full force of the law,” she added.