PNP on Carpenter slay: Case solved

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has declared as “case solved” the killing of American marine biologist Kent Edward Carpenter following the identification of a sixth suspect.

Col. Allen Rae Co, PNP public information office chief, said the sixth suspect is the brother of alias “Eden,” who is the subject of a manhunt by the Negros Oriental police.

“We now have six suspects in the Carpenter case: the first two who were arrested, the two who surrendered, alias ‘Eden’ and his brother,” Co said at a press briefing yesterday.

The four suspects under police custody have undergone inquest proceedings. The two who are at large will be charged in a regular filing.

Carpenter, a marine biologist whose research on the Verde Island Passage elevated the strait into a global center of marine shore fish biodiversity, was killed at his home on July 12.

Mark Bucog, Jal Filipinas and lookouts Ciem Deputado and Eric Lenihan face charges of robbery with homicide.

Bucog allegedly shot Carpenter while Filipinas sexually assaulted the scientist’s partner, who is now a key witness in the case.

Co said the PNP is not seeing any work-related motive in the killing.