The lifeless bodies of the missing couple, Geneva Lopez and her Israeli fiance, were found with gunshot wounds caused by suspects who are former policemen, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed on Monday, July 8.
In an exclusive interview during Dos Por Dos, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the 27-year-old Lopez was found with gunshot wounds in the thigh and in the back of her torso, resulting in a fracture.
A "metallic slug" was also recovered from her body and submitted to the Firearms and Toolsmark Identification Division for ballistic examination.
On the other hand, the 37-year-old Cohen had been shot near the armpit and left chest, which penetrated his back.
"So far, na-identify sila ng kanilang mga kamag anak through their clothing, tapos yung mga alahas at mga marka sa katawan. Ninety percent na sila na 'yon. Para 100 percent [sure], they will be subjected to a DNA test," Santiago stressed.
Santiago, citing Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, said the case has been closed as the suspects were identified as two former policemen who were reportedly absent without leave (AWOL) by the Philippine National Police.
The suspects were identified as dismissed policemen Michael Angelo Giang and Rommel Abusa.
Santiago said the reason behind the killing was allegedly due to a land dispute.
Meanwhile, the land where the remains were buried and found has the surname "Pamintuan" and has not yet been identified as being related to the case.
It has been two weeks since the two died, as their bodies were decomposing.
The Beauty Queen contestant and Cohen were last seen riding a sports utility vehicle (SUV) towards Tarlac to check on a land property on June 21.
On the following day, the SUV they were in was found burned and abandoned in Barangay Cristo Rey in Capas.
The couple's remains were found buried in a grassy area in Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Capas, Tarlac on Saturday, July 6.
