The fatal shooting of an American marine biologist in Sibulan, Negros Oriental is considered solved but not yet closed, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

In a press briefing held at Camp Crame in Quezon City, PNP spokesperson and information chief Colonel Allen Rae Co said investigators have identified the brother of still-at-large suspect alias “Eden” as among those allegedly involved in the killing of American marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter at his residence in Barangay Ajong, Sibulan on July 12.

He said the four suspects already under police custody have undergone inquest proceedings, while charges against the two others will be filed before the prosecutor’s office through regular filing.

“We now have six suspects actually sa Carpenter case. ‘Yung na-unang dalawa nahuli, dalawa sumurrender and then ‘yung alias Eden and his brother lumalabas na din na kasama ito. So we have filed ‘yung inquest, ‘yung dalawa sumurrender and ‘yung apat. ‘Yung dalawa lookout at ‘yung dalawa wala pa ay regular filing na finile sa piskalya,” Co told reporters.

“Alam naman niyo once we have identified and filed a case ay considered itong cleared. Once at least one or madami po ay na-aprehend natin or nahuli, in this case apat na nga po ang nahuli natin it’s considered as solved,” he added.

Despite the additional suspect, the PNP maintained that robbery remains the primary motive behind the killing.

Carpenter, 73 years old, was a renowned marine scientist known for his research on fish biodiversity. He authored the scientific paper that identified the Verde Island Passage as the “Center of Marine Shore Fish Biodiversity.”

He also served as an adjunct professor and associate researcher at Silliman University in Dumaguete City, collaborating with the Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences and the Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management. (PNA)