Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Annie Perez

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783992338556Screen Shot 2026-07-14 at 7.04.27 AM (8).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">American marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter was gunned down inside his residence in Barangay Ajong, Sibulan, Negros Oriental on Sunday night. <em>Courtesy: Protect the Verde Island Passage/FB via Annie Perez </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATE)</strong> — An American marine biologist was gunned down inside his residence in Barangay Ajong, Sibulan, Negros Oriental on Sunday night.</p><p>The victim was identified as 73-year-old Dr. Kent Carpenter.</p><p>According to the Sibulan Police Station, the victim was watching television with a 34-year-old Filipina companion when three unidentified individuals wearing bonnets forcibly entered their house, said Capt. Mary Jean Gutierrez, chief of the Sibulan PNP.</p><p>The victim was shot in the head, killing him instantly. Carpenter was also robbed after he was killed. </p><p>Speaking to reporters in an online interview, Police Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police, said that things were in disarray when investigators arrived. </p><p>The female companion was also sexually assaulted by the three perpetrators who were wearing bonnets. </p><p>“They forcefully entered the house, was shot, assaulted the female and then robbed their things,” said Polinar in Cebuano.</p><p>Carpenter was the author of the landmark scientific paper which declared the Verde Island Passage as the &quot;Center of Marine Shore Fish Biodiversity&quot; in the world. He was also an adjunct professor and associate researcher at Silliman University.</p><p>All aspects to the victim’s work and personal life are included in the investigation as a special task group is now formed. </p><p>“We are yet to establish assumptions and presumptions,” added Polinar.</p><p>Several netizens shared that Carpenter had greatly helped the Philippine marine science community.</p><p>“We lost a titan,” one netizen shared.</p><p>“Today is a painful day for the Marine Science Community. Justice for Kent Carpenter,” read another post.</p><p>A hot pursuit operation is now underway to locate the perpetrators, along with a deeper investigation into the motive behind the crime.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PERSON OF INTEREST</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The Philippine National Police (PNP) has created a Special Investigation Task Group to fast-track the investigation into the Carpenter’s shooting. </p><p>According to the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), the SITG is composed of investigators and specialized police units tasked with case buildup, intelligence gathering, forensic evidence processing, and operations aimed at identifying and arresting those responsible.</p><p>PNP Public Information Office chief PCol. Allen Rae Co said authorities had identified a person of interest in the case. </p><p>“As of now, meron na po silang person of interest but it is still too early to tell. They are just validating ‘yung mga information na natatatanggap nila,” Co said. </p><p>Authorities are also conducting forensic examinations, reviewing possible CCTV footage, interviewing witnesses, validating intelligence reports, and reconstructing the suspects&#x27; movements before and after the attack.</p><p>Police said all possible motives remained under investigation.</p><p>While robbery is among the angles being considered after several belongings were reportedly taken from the house, investigators are also looking into whether the attack could be linked to Carpenter&#x27;s work or personal life.</p><p>“We will check all angles, titingnan po natin lahat ng puwedeng motive talaga. It could have been done to mislead ‘yung investigation… It could be connected doon sa kanyang trabaho, sa personal life, puwedeng sa business,” Co said. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4eqQrB0Kvlo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>American marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter was gunned down inside his residence in Barangay Ajong, Sibulan, Negros Oriental on Sunday night.</p>

American marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter was gunned down inside his residence in Barangay Ajong, Sibulan, Negros Oriental on Sunday night.

American marine biologist gunned down in Negros Oriental, partner assaulted

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American marine biologist gunned down in Negros Oriental, partner assaulted

Annie Perez,

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 14, 2026 08:20 AM PHT

|

Updated July 14, 2026 05:25 PM PHT

Read More:

negros oriental

marine biologist

crime

regions

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