PNP identifies partner of slain US biologist as person of interest
The investigation into the killing of American marine biologist Kent Carpenter has taken a new turn, with the Philippine National Police naming his Filipino partner as a person of interest in the case.
In an interview on Ted Failon & DJ Chacha's radio program, Negros Oriental Police director Col. Timmar Alam said that they have spoken with Carpenter's female companion regarding the incident on the evening of July 12.
"According to the surviving victim, they were watching television when all of a sudden, one of the suspects, biglang binaril 'yung victim natin," he said.
"According sa babae, nasa seven years na rin sila. Dalawa lang po sila [sa bahay nung oras na 'yun]," he added.
Alam detailed that the three gunmen were wearing bonnets when they intruded on Carpenter's home. After the shooting, the suspects allegedly tied the woman up.
"Nung una, ginawa naming person of interest 'yung babae kasi there was actually a suspicion considering that she wasn't hurt during the time of the incident. So we believe that, most probably, baka kilala siya or baka kilala niya rin. May mga ganung anggulo," Alam said.
However, he noted that she has since been cooperative with the investigation.
"Probably, she was just shocked, baka po nabigla pa kasi nga po malapitan 'yung pagbarel eh," he said.
Initial investigation also found that a Caliber .45 firearm was used, based on a recovered bullet.
"According to surviving victim natin, meron pong cash na more or less P50,000 [na nanakaw]. Tapos meron ding laptop, bagpack containing wallets, credit cards, and cash amounting to P25,000. So more or less nasa P75,000 po 'yung cash. Isang binocular din po ang nawala," he added.
Authorities are currently striving to locate eyewitnesses from neighboring houses, but no one has come forward to cooperate.
The police further believe that the shooting incident is unrelated to any recent environmental advocacy or research that could have put him at odds with development projects or businesses.
"[He] was very active in marine biodiversity or biology sa Apo Island dito, but nevertheless, ang nakikita namin ditong anggulo is far from that. Although we are not closing any possibilities," he said.
"We are exhausting our best efforts. Kaunting panahon lang because we also want to be sure na 'yung mahuli natin, 'yan po talaga ang gumawa, as long as the evidence will point to them," he added.
Following Carpenter's death, the PNP has now activated a Special Investigation Task Group composed of investigators and other specialized units that will "focus on case buildup, intelligence gathering, evidence processing, and the immediate identification and arrest of the perpetrators.
Investigators are also conducting backtracking and forward tracking operations, such as analyzing possible CCTV footage, witness interviews, intelligence validation, and reconstruction of the suspects’ movements before and after the incident.
As a marine biologist, Carpenter took a special interest in the Philippines, doing fieldwork in the country that included research and conservation work on local marine species.
He is also notable for having fought for the Philippines during its case against China over territorial disputes involving the South China Sea. During hearings in 2015, he provided expert reports and testified before the tribunal in The Hague.
Eventually, they found that China's sweeping "nine-dash line" claim has no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.