Israeli man and his partner missing in Philippines

An Israeli citizen and his partner are missing in the Philippines under suspicious circumstances, local media reported on Monday

A burned-out SUV believed to belong to Yitzhak Cohen, 37, and Geneva Lopez, 27, was found.

Inside, police discovered partially burned documents belonging to Lopez, reports said. Cohen is believed to have been the last person to drive the car.

The couple, who were living in the city of Angeles, north of the capital Manila, have not been heard from since Friday.

Lopez’s sister Joni raised the alarm with police on Saturday.

According to reports, Lopez, who was a contestant last year in a regional beauty contest, had told her family that she and Cohen were going to the nearby town of Capas to meet with a man with whom they had a real estate deal in 2021.

Prayers for Itzhak Cohen and Geneva Lopez who are declared missing after their car was found burned in Pampanga, Philippines. Cohen was years ago a member of the messianic community in Israel and a friend of our family. pic.twitter.com/vmeqd7HRXn

— The Watchman (@nspiass) June 25, 2024

Local police said they were examining CCTV footage as part of an investigation into the couple’s whereabouts.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it is aware of the situation and that it is being handled by Israel’s ambassador to the Philippines with local authorities.

The ministry said had been in contact with Cohen’s family in Israel.