Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784091601233kent carpenter.jpg" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="300"/>Courtesy: Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and World Heritage Site </div>MANILA — Retired Supreme Court associate justice Francis Jardeleza, who served as the Philippines&#x27; solicitor general and principal agent in the landmark South China Sea arbitration against China, paid tribute Wednesday to <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/14/american-marine-biologist-gunned-down-in-negros-oriental-0820">slain American marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter</a>, describing him as one of the experts who helped the country secure its historic legal victory.&quot;We, the participants in the Philippine effort to win the Phil v China arbitral award of 2016, deeply mourn the untimely passing of Dr. Kent Carpenter,&quot; Jardeleza said in a statement.&quot;He was one of our experts whom we presented in the arbitration, and he did his fair share in espousing our cause. Dr. Kent is a good person, and a very accomplished environmentalist. We pray he rests in peace.&quot;Carpenter, 73, was one of two expert witnesses presented by the Philippines during the arbitration proceedings before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.As an expert witness, he submitted reports and testified on the condition of coral reef ecosystems in the South China Sea and the environmental damage caused by destructive fishing practices and large-scale activities in the disputed waters. His scientific expertise formed part of the Philippines&#x27; evidence in the case that culminated in the landmark July 12, 2016 arbitral award.The tribunal ultimately ruled in favor of the Philippines on several key issues, affirming the country&#x27;s sovereign rights within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and finding that China had violated its obligations under international law by causing severe harm to the marine environment through large-scale land reclamation and its failure to prevent Chinese fishermen from harvesting endangered species and damaging fragile coral reef ecosystems.Carpenter, an internationally recognized marine biologist, spent decades studying Philippine marine biodiversity and was widely known for his research on coral reef ecosystems and fish diversity.The tribute came as the Philippine National Police continued its investigation into <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/14/american-marine-biologist-gunned-down-in-negros-oriental-0820">Carpenter&#x27;s killing at his home in Sibulan, Negros Oriental.</a>Negros Oriental police chief PCol. Timmar Alam said investigators have identified Carpenter&#x27;s 34-year-old <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/15/partner-of-slain-us-marine-biologist-now-person-of-interest-0959">Filipina live-in partner and her sibling as persons of interest in the case</a>. Police clarified that the designation did not imply criminal liability and that investigators were still validating information gathered during the probe.Authorities said all possible motives remained under investigation.While robbery is among the angles being pursued after cash and personal belongings were reportedly taken from the residence, investigators are also looking into whether the killing could have been connected to Carpenter&#x27;s professional work, business interests, or personal life. The Philippine National Police has formed a Special Investigation Task Group to fast-track the investigation through forensic examination, intelligence gathering, witness interviews and CCTV review.Initial police investigation showed that on Sunday evening, three unidentified men wearing bonnets forced their way into Carpenter&#x27;s residence in Barangay Ajong while he and his live-in partner were watching television.One of the suspects allegedly shot Carpenter in the head, killing him at the scene. His partner was reportedly tied up and sustained minor injuries before the suspects fled with cash and other personal belongings.Carpenter had been working in the Philippines since 1975, dedicating much of his career to the study and conservation of the country&#x27;s marine ecosystems. Beyond his contribution as one of the Philippines&#x27; expert witnesses in the landmark South China Sea arbitration, he authored the landmark scientific paper that identified the Verde Island Passage as the world&#x27;s &quot;Center of the Center of Marine Shore Fish Biodiversity,&quot; underscoring the region&#x27;s extraordinary marine richness. Carpenter also served as an adjunct professor and associate researcher at Silliman University, where he mentored generations of Filipino marine scientists and advanced marine conservation research.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/15/scientific-community-grieves-demands-justice-for-slain-marine-expert-0721">Scientific community grieves, demands justice for slain marine expert</a></div><div> <iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v5x7SWQMzZk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></div>

Retired Supreme Court associate justice Francis Jardeleza paid tribute Wednesday to slain American marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter, describing him as one of the experts who helped the country secure its historic legal victory.

Retired Supreme Court associate justice Francis Jardeleza paid tribute Wednesday to slain American marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter, describing him as one of the experts who helped the country secure its historic legal victory.

Ex-Solgen pays tribute to slain scientist who helped PH win South China Sea arbitration

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Ex-Solgen pays tribute to slain scientist who helped PH win South China Sea arbitration

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 15, 2026 01:04 PM PHT

Read More:

Kent Carpenter

Philippines

China

West Philippine Sea

South China Sea

Permanent Court of Arbitration

The Hague

Arbitral Award

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