By CESAR JOLITO III
Police have identified two persons of interest in the fatal shooting of American marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter inside his home in Negros Oriental’s Sibulan town.
Negros Oriental Provincial Police Director Colonel Timmar Alam, who heads the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Carpenter, said the persons of interest are Carpenter’s live-in partner and her sibling.
Investigators found inconsistencies in the statements given by Carpenter’s 34-year-old Filipina live-in partner.
Her earlier claim that she had been sexually assaulted during the incident was not supported by the results of a vaginal swab examination, which yielded negative findings.
Police further noted that the woman was allegedly left unharmed during the attack, prompting investigators to consider the possibility that the suspects may have been acquainted with her.
Meanwhile, her sibling was included among the persons of interest because of frequent visits to Carpenter’s residence.
Investigators are pursuing several possible motives, including robbery, while also examining whether Carpenter’s work as a marine biologist may have been connected to the killing.
Authorities noted that Carpenter’s scientific research on coral reefs and marine biodiversity contributed to the Philippines’ evidence in the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling on the West Philippine Sea.
Carpenter, 73 years old, was shot dead after three unidentified men allegedly forced their way into his residence in Barangay Ajong, Sibulan, late Sunday night, July 12.
Police said he was watching television when one of the suspects shot him in the head before the group fled. His live-in partner was also injured during the incident.
Loss
Silliman University expressed “profound sorrow” over Carpenter’s passing, describing it as a tremendous loss to the international scientific community.
The university said Carpenter, a university research associate and professor emeritus of biological sciences at Old Dominion University, dedicated nearly five decades to advancing marine science through research and collaboration with Filipino scientists.
The university highlighted Carpenter’s groundbreaking work identifying the central Philippines, particularly the Verde Island Passage, as the world’s “Center of the Center” of marine shore fish diversity.
His partnership with Silliman began in 1976 when he worked alongside the late National Scientist Dr. Angel Alcala and fellow marine researchers on pioneering studies of Philippine marine ecosystems.
The university said those collaborations helped establish Silliman as an internationally respected center for marine and coastal research, contributing significantly to scientific knowledge on coral reef biodiversity, reef fish ecology, fisheries sustainability, and marine conservation.
Throughout the years, Carpenter worked with the university’s Biology Department, Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences, and Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management, mentoring students and researchers while sharing his expertise in ichthyology, marine biodiversity, conservation biology, systematics, and evolutionary research.
Among his most significant recent initiatives was the albatross re-collection project, which combined historical museum collections, modern genomic technologies, and field expeditions to study how Philippine marine biodiversity has changed over the past 120 years due to fishing pressure, habitat degradation, and climate change.
Carpenter also collaborated with Silliman scientists on research involving coral reef conservation, fisheries management, marine pollution, and the effects of microplastics on rabbitfish (Siganus fuscescens) in Negros Oriental.
“His passing is a tremendous loss, not only to his family and colleagues, but also to the generations of students, researchers, conservationists, and institutions whose work has been enriched by his intellect, generosity and unwavering dedication to science,” the university said.
SU added that Carpenter’s legacy of scholarship, mentorship and environmental stewardship will continue to inspire future generations of scientists dedicated to protecting the country’s rich marine biodiversity./CCJ, WDJ