American biologist who fought for PH marine conservation shot dead

American biologist who fought for PH marine conservation shot dead MANILA, Philippines — An American marine biologist whose research crowned the Philippines as the center of global marine biodiversity was shot dead inside his home in Negros Oriental on Sunday night, July 12. Local reports identified the victim as Kent Carpenter, a 73-year-old American national and adjunct professor at Silliman University's Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences in Dumaguete City. Three unidentified men forcibly entered Carpenter's residence in Barangay Ajong, Sibulan town, at around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday while he and his 34-year-old Filipino companion were watching television, the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) said in a statement Tuesday. One of the men, armed with a handgun, shot the American national in the head, killing him. His companion was also hurt and is undergoing medical and forensic examination, police said. The suspects remain at large and police in their initial report have not established a motive. Regional police said Tuesday morning, July 14, that it has activated a special investigation task group to help arrest the perpetrators and get to the bottom of the case. Investigators are currently "conducting backtracking and forward tracking operations, including the review of possible CCTV footage, witness interviews, intelligence validation, and reconstruction of the suspects’ movements before and after the incident," the statement by the regional police read. “We strongly condemn this senseless act of violence. I have directed our investigators to exhaust all legal means to identify and apprehend those responsible at the soonest possible time," Regional Director PBGen. Romano Cardiño said, as quoted in the statement. "We assure the victim’s family, the community, and our foreign visitors that this case is being treated with utmost urgency, and no effort will be spared until justice is served," he added. Philstar.com has reached out to the US Embassy in Manila for comment. Carpenter was a highly distinguished ichthyologist (zoologist who studies fish) who made several contributions to marine conservation in the world. But his special interest was the Philippines, having studied Philippine marine fishes for over 50 years since 1975. He co-authored the 2005 study that identified the Verde Island Passage as the "center of marine shore fish biodiversity," a finding that boosted the Philippines' standing in global marine science. Recently, the American national was among those who advocated for the designation of the Verde Island Passage as a World Heritage Site. His death has drawn an outpouring of grief and calls for justice from Filipino scientists and conservation groups. Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and World Heritage Site said in a social media post: "Since 2018, Kent gave his time freely to the park, driven by a love for the reef. He was a brilliant scientist who helped us truly understand what we are protecting." - Latest - Trending