By CESAR JOLITO III

Police have arrested two suspects and secured the voluntary surrender of another in connection with the robbery-slay of American marine scientist Dr. Kent Edward Carpenter in Negros Oriental’s Sibulan town.

The suspects, whose identities are being withheld pending the filing of formal charges, are residents of Barangay Ajong in Sibulan.

They include two men, aged 26 and 40, who were arrested during separate operations on Wednesday night, July 15; while a 21-year-old man voluntarily surrendered early yesterday morning.

The three were taken into police custody following sustained police hot pursuit operations conducted by the Special Investigation Task Group “Carpenter.”

The operations stemmed from the ongoing investigation into the fatal robbery incident involving Carpenter, who was shot dead inside his home in Barangay Ajong late Sunday night, July 12.

The surrendering suspects are under police custody and undergoing standard custodial and legal procedures while appropriate criminal charges are being prepared.

Brigadier General Romano Cardiño, Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region director, lauded the operating units for their swift and coordinated response, describing the arrests and surrender as a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice.

“We assure the victim’s family, the foreign community, and the public that PRO-NIR will relentlessly pursue all those involved until everyone responsible is held accountable before the law,” Cardiño said.

He added that the investigation remains active, with follow-up operations continuing to locate and arrest another suspect who remains at large./CCJ, WDJ