Kin of Geneva Lopez’s boyfriend offers reward for info on missing couple

The family of Israeli national Yitshak Cohen is offering a P250,000 reward to anyone who could provide information on Cohen and his girlfriend, beauty pageant contestant Geneva Lopez, who have been missing since June 22. 

According to Oscar Oida’s report on 24 Oras Thursday, the couple was last seen on June 21, Friday, when they drove to the town of Capas in Tarlac, to look at property they were planning to buy. 

Their sport utility vehicle (SUV) was later seen burning early Saturday morning along a road in Capas with no sign of its occupants. Charred belongings revealed it was the missing couple’s car.  

“Sa pagko-conduct po natin ng ocular inspection sa site at saka sa area nung nasunog na sasakyan wala tayong nakitang kahit ano mang sign ng nung katawan ng tao nina ano or ano mang komusyon sa lugar,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Librado Manarang Jr., Chief, Capas Police Station. 

(Upon conducting an ocular inspection of the site and the area where the car was burned, we did not find physical clues or a sign of commotion.)

The Bureau of Fire Protection is still trying to determine the cause of the fire. 

In an exclusive interview with GMA Regional TV, Cohen’s brother, "Joe," said their family is offering a reward for their loved ones' safe return. 

"Our assumption is they’re still alive. We did not have any address for anyone for ransom, so we are hoping they will actually contact us,” he said.

“If anyone saw or knows anything, we are really looking to recover our brother and his fiance, and we are offering this money in return for valid information to find my brother and his fiance,” Joe added.

The lawyer of the Lopez family said the couple’s transaction regarding the land they were eyeing was legitimate.

He added the family has requested for privacy and has asked the public to avoid making insinuations and speculations that could hamper the ongoing investigation.

Geneva is one of the contestants for this year's Mutya Ng Pilipinas Pampanga. Mutya ng Pilipinas has voiced its concern over her safety and asked authorities for a swift resolution to her case.—Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News