Persons of interest in Geneva Lopez, BF slay facing illegal possession raps — lawyer

Some of the persons of interest in the killing of beauty pageant contestant Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend, Yitshak Cohen are now facing complaints for illegal possession of firearms and explosives, a lawyer said Tuesday.

“They’re actually right now facing charges for illegal possession of firearms and possessives,” Atty. Jonnifer Lacanlale, the legal counsel of the family, said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

Five persons of interest in the death of Lopez and Cohen are under police custody while two remain at large, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Authorities earlier seized guns and grenades during a raid at the house of one of the POIs. 

“But ‘yung kaso tungkol kina Geneva Lopez and Yitshak Cohen, ito po ay ibang kaso ang isasampa sa kanila,” Lacanlale said.

(A different case will be filed for the killing of Geneva Lopez and Yitshak Cohen.)

Lopez and Cohen were last seen on June 21 when they drove to Capas, Tarlac to check on the property they were planning to purchase.

Authorities on Saturday found their bodies in a quarry site in Barangay Sta. Lucia in Capas.

Autopsy reports showed that the couple died of gunshot wounds. Lopez had gunshot wounds at the back of her torso and her thigh while Cohen had gunshot wounds on his chest and near the armpit.

Meanwhile, Lacanlale said the families of Lopez and Cohen extend their gratitude to the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation for their efforts.

They also wished to gain access to the information obtained by authorities.

“Para po alam po namin kung ano po 'yung kulang at kung ano po 'yung dapat pang gawin patungkol sa kaso. Kasi alam ninyo naman po, relatively easy to file a case eh, pero pagdating po sa korte, ibang usapan na po 'yung mga ebidensya na kailangan,” he said.

(So that we know what is missing and what should be done regarding the case. As you know, it is relatively easy to file a case, but the evidence needed before the court is another matter.)

Lopez’s remains were cremated as her family held a wake at the Gate of Heaven Memorial Chapel in Minalin, Pampanga, while Cohen's body was scheduled to be repatriated to Israel this week.

Lacanlale said Lopez’s mother “was just tired” while her siblings were confused.

“Pagod na pagod po. Alam ninyo po siguro, not only physically but emotionally, psychologically. ‘Yung mga kapatid, still confused. Hindi po nila alam how to go about it. Their focus now po para mairaos lang po 'yung wake at mailibing po 'yung kapatid nila,” he said.

(She is exhausted. Not just physically but emotionally, psychologically. The siblings, still confused. They don’t know how to go on about it. Their focus is to hold the wake and bury their sibling.)

Lopez’s family had previously called for justice for her death.—AOL, GMA Integrated News