Mechanic tells how he brought Geneva, Yitshak's bodies to quarry site

The person of interest who told police where the remains of beauty pageant contestant Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen were buried has narrated how he brought their bodies to the quarry site in Capas, Tarlac.

According to Jun Veneracion's report on "24 Oras," PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said Junjun, a mechanic, told police that he was called by the principal suspects in the crime to fix a heavy equipment. He was surprised when he was told to drive the victims' SUV.

“Ang sasakyan na pinasakay sa kanya ay sasakyan nu'ng dalawang biktima. Pagsakay nga, patay na ang dalawa," Fajardo said.

"Sa passenger side sa tabi ng driver nandoon 'yung babae at 'yung lalaki ay nandoon sa likod. At sinasabi pa n'ya na nakabalot na daw ng kumot ang mga mukha,” Fajardo said.

(The vehicle he drove was the slain couple's SUV. When Junjun got into the car, he saw Lopez and Cohen were already dead. The body of the beauty contestant was on the passenger side beside the driver’s seat while the body of Cohen was at the back. Junjun also said the couple’s faces were covered with a blanket.)

“Ang unang plano is maghanap ng equipment para makapaghukay pa sila pero hindi natuloy,” Fajardo said.

(At first, the plan was to look for equipment to dig the grave site but they did not pursue it.)

Junjun surrendered to the authorities and pointed where the couple were buried. Police said he could become a state witness against the principal suspects.

He was also tasked to burn the couple’s SUV, which was found last June 22. 

“Ang sinasabi n'ya ang gamit nya tissue. Inikot-ikot niya tapos sinindihan hanggang kumalat na,” Fajardo said.

(He said he used tissue paper which he twisted before setting it on fire and then it spread.)

The suspects also offered Junjun P50,000 to keep quiet but failed to deliver on their word.

Authorities are still searching for two persons who allegedly took part in the planning of the crime.

“With respect po sa ina-account, we already have the names kahit aliases so nandoon yung direction. Hinahanap natin sila. Mga sibilyan po,” Fajardo said.

(Concerning the suspects, we already have their names even if it's aliases so we have a direction. We are looking for them. They are civilians.)

According to the investigation, former policeman Michael Guiang mortgaged a property to Lopez. To get it back, Romel Aboso, also a former police, posed as a buyer to convince the couple to meet him.

According to Jon Lacanlale, legal counsel of the Lopez family, the couple and their family knew Guiang since they had a previous transaction that involved a parcel of land.

“They were there, comfortable siguro, kampante sila na it's just an ordinary business transaction again. Hindi lang po ito ang transaksyon nila. Meron pang isang property. Malaki ang figures. It ran by the millions. Meron pong 7.8 and 12 something hectares,” Lacanlale said.

(They were probably comfortable that it was just an ordinary business transaction again. They also have a transaction in another property, which ran by the millions. There are around 7.8 and 12 hectares.)

According to Lopez’s family, justice will be served when the suspects are punished.

They will release a statement after Lopez is buried on Friday. 

The PNP is completing the evidence against the persons of interest, which includes the statements of the family of Geneva, some documents, and CCTV footage gathered during the investigation.

”Hopefully po within the week ay makapagsampa po sila ng kaso for double murder against po sa mga POIs. But ‘yung pamilya po ng mga biktima ay nakiusap din po na bigyan sila muna ng pagkakataon na makapagluksa muna dahil kailangan po kasi natin kuhanan po ng statement po itong mga kaanak ng biktima para sila po kasi ang tatayong private complainant,” Fajardo said.

(Hopefully, within the week, we can file the case for double murder against the persons of interest. But the family of the victim requested that they be given time to grieve first because we also need their statements since they will stand as private complainants.) —Mariel Celine Serquiña/NB/KG, GMA Integrated News