3 nabbed over killing of American marine biologist

MANILA, Philippines — Three suspects have been arrested over the killing of American marine biologist Kent Carpenter, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday.

In a press briefing in Camp Crame, PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co said the three suspects were taken into police custody on Wednesday night in Sibulan town, Negros Oriental.

Co identified the suspects only by the aliases “M.O.,” 26; “J.F.,” and “C.D.,” 21.

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The suspects allegedly entered Carpenter’s home in Sibulan while he was with his Filipina live-in partner over the weekend and shot him in the head.

Carpenter’s live-in partner claimed she was sexually assaulted by one of the suspects; and that several personal items had been stolen during the incident.

According to the PNP public information chief, M.O. shot Carpenter, while J.F. sexually assaulted the live-in partner and C.D. served as a lookout.

J.F. was supposedly hired by Carpenter and his live-in partner some months ago for repair work at their Sibulan home, Co explained.

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“He (J.F.) was able to surveil (the home),” Co added. “He must’ve seen that there were only two occupants and the man was of old age. That’s the time they must’ve come up with the plan.”

“As to who ordered them, there appears to be none. It seems they came up with the plan to rob them. We do not yet know why they had to shoot him since we saw that the victim was just sitting on the couch,” he further said.

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All three suspects in police custody now face robbery with homicide charges.

Co added that a fourth suspect with the alias “Eden” was still at large.

This is a developing story. /das

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