While Sleeping, a SEA Games Gold Medalist Was Stabbed, Resulting in His Death
MERVIN MALIGO GUARTE – The SEA Games gold medalist was tragically killed in a stabbing incident while he was sleeping in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, early Tuesday morning.
Guarte, 33, a member of the Philippine Air Force assigned to Fernando Airbase in Lipa City, was found dead after being stabbed in the chest. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he was declared dead upon arrival.
The crime took place at the home of his friend, Barangay Kagawad Dante Abel, in Sitio Pinagkaisahan, Barangay Camilmil, at around 4:30 a.m. According to police reports, Guarte was sleeping in the living room when an unidentified assailant attacked him. He managed to call for help from nearby neighbors, who rushed him to Sta. Maria Village Hospital before transferring him to Mindoro Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Guarte had an outstanding athletic career, having won two silver medals in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games in the men’s 800-meter and 1500-meter events in track and field. He later transitioned to obstacle racing and won a gold medal in the 2019 SEA Games in the men’s 5km race. Guarte was also part of the men’s team relay that won a gold medal at the 2023 SEA Games.
The investigation revealed that Guarte had been in the area the night before, drinking with friends until about 3:00 a.m. on the day of the incident. Authorities are now working to identify those he was with in order to determine potential suspects and motives. A knife believed to have been used in the murder was recovered from the crime scene.
Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor condemned the murder, calling for justice and assuring the public that authorities are working to resolve the case swiftly. He has instructed police to thoroughly investigate and hold the responsible parties accountable.