The case involving the shooting of American Kent Carpenter in Negros Oriental may not have anything to do with his work as a marine biologist.

This is according to the police as they placed under arrest three of four suspects in Carpenter’s killing.

According to Philippine National Police (PNP) Information Chief, Col. Allen Rae Co, investigation, so far, showed that the shooting of Carpenter in his home in Sibulan town was “robbery gone wrong.”

The suspects allegedly took away money and jewelry from the house.

Co said no evidence, by far, would show that the killing is related to Carpenter’s professional life.

The police are yet to determine, however, why the suspects had to pull the trigger on Carpenter.

Carpenter and his live-in partner were watching television when the suspects barged into their home at around 11 p.m. on on July 12, 2026.

The suspects are facing charges for robbery with homicide, said Col. Timmar Alam, Director of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO).

Those arrested is the alleged gunman, the alleged lookout, and the one who allegedly assaulted Carpenter’s live-in partner. Read story: https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/114818/3-suspects-in-killing-of-marine-biologist-now-in-police-custody/story/

LIVE-IN PARTNER

Meanwhile, NORPPO said that while she was classified as person of interest in the case, Carpenter’s live-in partner does not automatically become a suspect, especially after she identified the men who entered their house.

Earlier, the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) created to probe the shooting reportedly found inconsistencies in statement of Carpenter’s live-in partner.

Contrary to the claim that she was assaulted sexually, police said the result of a medical examination showed otherwise.

But the PNP clarified later that the result is not conclusive.

The PNP also said earlier that the sibling of Carpenter’s live-in partner is considered a person of interest because the sibling would reportedly visit the victim’s house frequently.

Several organizations and institutions have mourned Carpenter’s tragic death.

He was a well-respected scientist whose research on coral reefs and marine biodiversity was recognized highly in the scientific and academic communities.

His work contributed to the Philippines’ case in the 2016 arbitral ruling on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).