The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) said five suspects are now in police custody in connection to the killing of beauty pageant contestant Geneva Lopez and her Israeli fiancé Yitshak Cohen.

Among those apprehended are Michael Guiang and Romel Aboso, both former members of the PNP who were dismissed from service due to Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) issues in 2020 and 2019, respectively.

With them is Jeffrey Santos, a civilian who was reportedly in the suspects' vehicle during the crime.

Authorities said Guiang and Aboso, along with Santos, are alleged associates of two suspects who surrendered voluntarily earlier.

Two more suspects remain at large, as of this writing. 

Authorities continue to determine the roles of the other suspects involved.

Guiang and Aboso are also linked to other criminal activities.

MOTIVE

According to PMGEN. Leo M. Francisco of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the motive behind the killings appears to stem from a dispute over property. Guiang allegedly had a land transaction with Lopez, which she sought to reverse.

"Gusto nang bawiin ni Geneva yung isinanlang lupa kay Guiang. In the same manner, sinabi ni Guiang na may buyer din yung lupang sinanla niya, at ipapakilala niya nga kay Geneva itong si Aboso as buyer," Francisco said.

The meeting in Barangay Armenia led to the murder of the couple orchestrated by the two former police officers allegedly.

"So there was that plan of killing itong mag nobya na 'to. So makikita niyo ayaw ibigay ni Guiang yung lupa na isinanla niya kay Geneva," Francisco said.

Francisco said they are now matching confiscated firearms of the two police officers with forensic evidence.

Authorities are preparing to file criminal charges against Guiang, Aboso, and other involved parties for two counts of murder. 

"Nagkaroon kami ng case conference with the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) para mapagtugma-tugma namin at maibigay namin ng lahat na loose ends dun sa statement ng bawat isa, and [in] the next two days maifa-file namin ang criminal complaint," Francisco said.

POLICE INTEGRITY

In response to the involvement of former police personnel in the crime, DILG Secretary Atty. Benhur C. Abalos Jr. expressed dismay. 

"Sa totoo lang, masakit, eh, kasi ito yung mga taong binayaran ng gobyerno para proteksyonan tayo," he said.

"Although AWOL [at] dismissed from service... 'di parin maiialis na dating naging pulis, dating nanumpa na pro-proteksyonan [ang tao], tapos eto ngayon pumapatay," he added.

Abalos said they continue to cleanse the police ranks of rogue elements.

"These people are the ones that give a bad name to the Philippine National Police... itong mga anay na 'to, itong mga lokong 'to," he said.

"Pero I would like to emphasize na [ang] dalawang taong ito ay matagal nang tinanggal sa serbisyo ng ating pamahalaan," he added.

Authorities assured the public and the victims' families of ongoing protection measures.

BACKGROUND

The search for Lopez and Cohen began following a warrant issued on July 5, 2024 after their disappearance on June 21.

Their burnt-out sports utility vehicle (SUV) was discovered the following day in Capas, Tarlac. 

Their remains were found on July 6 at a quarry site in Capas.