Partner, sibling persons of interest in scientist’s slay

MANILA, Philippines — The Filipina partner of American marine biologist Kent Edward Carpenter and her sibling have been named persons of interest in his murder last Sunday at his home in Sibulan, Negros Oriental. These developed after the Negros Oriental police noted inconsistencies in the statement of the 34-year-old Filipina, who claimed she was sexually assaulted by the robbers who barged into their home in Barangay Ajong. Negros Oriental police director Col. Timmar Alam, head of the special investigation task group formed to look into the case, said that results of medical examinations conducted on the woman showed otherwise. "She was subjected to a full vaginal swab and it yielded negative (for sexual assault)," Alam told journalists over the phone yesterday. While there is no evidence linking the woman to the murder, Alam said the task group is wondering why the robbers did not kill her. Carpenter and her partner had been together for seven years. They were watching television when the robbers barged in at past 11 p.m. One of the intruders shot Carpenter in the head with a handgun, killing him instantly. "Since she was left alive, probably the robbers are known to her, but she could just not identify them. We are considering those angles," Alam said. Reports said the robbers were wearing masks. The sibling of the woman was also tagged as a person of interest for being a frequent visitor at the house. Alam said there was no sign of forced entry, although there was an access point at the terrace. Police have obtained video footage of a closed-circuit television camera, which is now being reviewed by cybercrime investigators for leads on the identities of the killers. While all angles are being explored, police said initial findings indicated that robbery could have been the motive, noting that the killers took P75,000 in cash and a laptop computer. Posts on social media speculated that Carpenter’s murder could also be related to his role as a witness for the Philippines in the 2016 arbitration case involving the South China Sea. Alam said this matter is included in their investigation. Meanwhile, environmental group Protect Verde Island Passage (Protect VIP) has urged authorities to thoroughly investigate the murder of Carpenter. In a post on social media, Protect VIP lead convenor Fr. Edwin Gariguez condoled with friends and loved ones of the 73-year-old marine biologist. "As we mourn his passing, we reaffirm our commitment to the cause that Dr. Carpenter championed: protecting the Verde Island Passage and all of our country’s biodiverse ecosystems and all communities who defend and rely on them," Gariguez said. Since the 1970s, Carpenter has been helping Filipino coastal communities, researchers and environmental conservationists protect the Verde Island Passage between Batangas and Mindoro, which is considered as one of the planet’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems. – Evelyn Macairan