Three arrested in American marine biologist’s Sibulan killing

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Authorities arrested three suspects in connection with the July 12 killing of 73-year-old American marine biologist Kent E. Carpenter in Sibulan, Negros Oriental.

Police first arrested a 26-year-old suspect identified by the alias “Mark,” a resident of Barangay Ajong, at 9:56 p.m. Wednesday, July 15.

Less than an hour later, police arrested “Jal,” 40, also of Barangay Ajong, at 10:35 p.m.

A third suspect, identified as “Ciem,” 21, voluntarily surrendered to authorities at 4:06 a.m. Thursday, July 16.

Police identified and tracked the suspects through information provided by Carpenter’s 34-year-old Filipina partner, who witnessed the attack.

Police Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, said “Mark” was the alleged gunman who shot Carpenter twice in the head.

The Special Investigation Task Group Carpenter continued to pursue at least one additional suspect.

Polinar said investigators were initially looking at robbery as the motive after PHP 75,000 in cash, a laptop, and a pair of binoculars were reported missing from the couple’s home in Barangay Ajong.

Police initially considered Carpenter’s partner a person of interest because she was with him when the attack occurred, but investigators later treated her as a witness.

The woman was wounded during the attack and was allegedly sexually assaulted by one or more of the suspects.

A video released by the regional police office showed her identifying one of the suspects as the person who allegedly assaulted her.

Polinar said police were still preparing her sworn affidavit concerning the alleged sexual assault because of the case’s sensitive and confidential nature.

He said Carpenter’s partner was cooperating with investigators.

Police also coordinated with the U.S. Embassy and were awaiting instructions from Carpenter’s family regarding the disposition of his remains.

Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, director of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region, said the investigation and follow-up operations would continue until all identified suspects were apprehended.

Cardiño commended the operating units for their swift and coordinated response, describing the arrests as a significant step in the pursuit of justice.

The Sibulan Municipal Police Station conducted the operation with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Negros Oriental, the Provincial Intelligence Unit, and SITG Carpenter.

Police Col. Timmar Alam, director of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, led the special investigation task group.

Cardiño assured Carpenter’s family, the foreign community, and the public that police would continue pursuing everyone involved until they were held accountable.

Carpenter was a professor and eminent scholar of biological sciences at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where his research focused on marine conservation, fish evolution, and biodiversity in the Philippines and the wider Coral Triangle.

He was one of two expert witnesses presented by the Philippines in its South China Sea arbitration case against China.

Carpenter provided scientific reports, testimony, satellite images, and video evidence documenting coral reef conditions and environmental damage in the disputed waters.

The arbitral tribunal issued its landmark ruling in 2016, finding, among other conclusions, that China had caused severe harm to coral reef environments in the South China Sea.

Carpenter was also a research associate at Silliman University in Dumaguete City, where he had collaborated with Filipino marine scientists since 1976.

His research helped deepen scientific understanding of Philippine coral reefs, marine biodiversity, and the Verde Island Passage, which has been recognized as a global center of marine shore-fish biodiversity.

Police said Carpenter was watching television in the living room of his Barangay Ajong home when the assailants entered through a rear terrace and attacked him.

Polinar said investigators were examining all circumstances surrounding the attack and would continue working to resolve the case.