Sibulan: Police arrested two suspects and another voluntarily surrendered in connection with the recent fatal shooting of an American marine biologist in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, police officials said Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO) Director Col. Timmar Alam, in a virtual press conference, stated that the two suspects were apprehended in separate police operations Wednesday night, while the third suspect turned himself in early Thursday after learning of the arrests. The suspects were identified only through their aliases as MO, 26; JF, 40; and CD, 21; all from Sibulan.
"The first suspect was arrested at about 8:56 p.m. Wednesday, and the second at around 9:50 p.m. At about 4:06 a.m. Thursday, the third suspect voluntarily surrendered to the police after learning that two of his companions had already been arrested," Alam said. Police are preparing the necessary documents and gathering additional information from the suspects before filing charges of robbery with homicide before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office.
The three are accused of the killing of American marine biologist Dr. Kent Carpenter, who was shot dead at his residence in Barangay Ajong, Sibulan on July 12. Alam mentioned that investigators are looking into the possible involvement of additional suspects, who are the subject of ongoing police pursuit operations.
NOrPPO spokesperson Capt. Stephen Jaynard Polinar said Carpenter's live-in partner positively identified the two arrested suspects. Polinar added that the suspects were allegedly involved in prior theft-related incidents. No firearms were recovered from the suspects during the arrests or surrender.
Carpenter's live-in partner remains a person of interest, Polinar clarified, noting that this designation does not imply she is a suspect but that she possesses information relevant to the investigation. She is also the lone eyewitness to the shooting and has been placed under police protection to ensure her safety, Polinar said.
Meanwhile, Alam stated that police are working to file the complaint within the 36-hour reglementary period required by law for detained suspects. On the other hand, PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co mentioned that a fourth suspect, identified as alias 'Eden,' remains at large.
'Initially, we knew that three entered, but we are still looking for one with an alias Eden,' Co told reporters in a press briefing held at Camp Crame also on Thursday. 'We solicit the help and assistance of the public or anybody who has information about alias Eden who was with them. Please give the information to the nearest police station so we can immediately arrest this person. They were apprised of their rights under the Miranda doctrine, so they were told that they have the right to counsel and that anything they say will be used against them,' he added.
According to the PNP spokesperson, "JF" was supposedly hired by Carpenter and his live-in partner some months ago for repair work at their Sibulan home. '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 explained.
