The Israeli Embassy in Manila has said that it is aware of the disappearance of a 37-year-old Israeli citizen and his girlfriend, a 26-year-old beauty pageant contestant, in Tarlac.

“The Embassy of Israel in Manila, alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, are fully aware of the case of the missing Israeli, Yitshak Cohen, and are taking the appropriate measures to address it," the embassy said in a message.

Cohen had been missing for several days, along with Geneva Lopez.

The embassy said they are working with local authorities, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), to resolve the situation.

"The Israeli embassy is liaising with local authorities, including the Philippine National Police (PNP). We have complete confidence in the PNP and Philippine government’s efforts to resolving this matter effectively," it added.

INVESTIGATION

Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate the burned vehicle found in Barangay Cristo Rey, Capas, Tarlac.

It has been confirmed as the vehicle used by Lopez and Cohen. They were temporarily residing in Angeles City, Pampanga.

On June 21, 2024, the couple traveled to Tarlac City to inspect a property they were considering purchasing in Barangay Armenia.

"Si middleman at sina Geneva Lopez at Mr. cohen, nag-meet sila sa barangay cristo rey. nag-meet sila sa barangay cristo rey ng june 21, 2 to 3 o’clock pm on the same date saka pumunta sa location kung nasaan ang lupa," PLTCOL. Librado Manarang Jr., Chief of Carpas Police Station, said.

The couple left Barangay Armenia, Tarlac City, between 4 to 5 PM on the same day.

"Nakikipag-coordinate tayo sa Angeles, sa PCP (police community precinct) 4 at sa mga CCTV (closed circuit television) na pwedeng makuha sa Clark at SCTEX para makuha kung mayroon pa bang possible na sakay or kasama sina Geneva Lopez at Mr. Cohen doon sa kanilang sasakyan," Manarang said.

At 2:36 a.m. on June 22, authorities were alerted about the burning vehicle in Tarlac where they found Lopez's ATM card and ID picture.

The PNP is backtracking the vehicle's route from Pampanga to Tarlac and continues to collect CCTV footage as of this writing. 

Capas Police have not yet released the CCTV footage they possess as the investigation is ongoing.

The Capas Fire Station has submitted debris samples to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) National Headquarters Fire Laboratory to determine the cause of the fire.

"Ang concentration (ng sunog), ’yung location, parang sa driver side tsaka ‘yung engine bay. ‘Yun ang totally burned at may mga signs na doon ang pinakamataas na temperatura na nakita nila," FSINSP. Rustico Tayag Jr., Capas Fire Station Marshal, said.