CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga — A series of joint police operations by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 3 (CIDG-RFU3) and the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) resulted in the arrest of four suspects, including the alleged mastermind, in the murder of beauty pageant candidate Geneva Lopez and her Israeli boyfriend Yitshak Cohen in Tarlac last year.

Police Regional Office 3 Director Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said Michael Angelo Guiang, the alleged mastermind, was arrested on Wednesday in Bgy. San Francisco in Santa Ignacia, Tarlac.

Guiang was nabbed based on a warrant for murder issued by the Capas Regional Trial Court Branch 109, with no bail recommended.

According to authorities, Guiang, who is a former police officer, reportedly acted as agent in a transaction involving the property of the victims.

The victims, who were from Pampanga, were last seen traveling to Capas in a sport utility vehicle being driven by Cohen before they were reported missing in June 21, 2024.

The remains of Lopez and Cohen were found buried at a quarry site in Capas on July 6, 2024.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday, three other suspects were also served similar warrants of arrest.

The three were identified as Rommel Abuso and Jeffrey Santos, who are detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Tarlac City for a separate offense, and Jay Tacubanza, 41, who was caught in Bgy. Care, Tarlac.

The suspects are facing two counts of murder under the Revised Penal Code.

Fajardo commended the dedication and teamwork of the CIDG RFU3 and the PRO3 in ensuring the suspects’ capture.

“These successful arrests reflect our commitment to bringing criminals to justice and ensuring that law and order prevail,” Fajardo said.

“Our collective efforts have brought us a step closer to securing justice for victims. We will continue to go after those who threaten public safety, using the full force of the law,” she added.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Bernard Galang