MANILA, Philippines – An Asian Games multi-medalist died after being stabbed in the chest while sleeping on Tuesday, January 7.
Mervin Guarte was stabbed in the chest while sleeping in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro early Tuesday morning, according to police.
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| Photo courtesy: Facebook/Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation |
The assailant immediately fled the scene.
According to PLtCol. Roden Fulache, chief of the Calapan City police, the stabbing occurred at the house of the victim's friend in Sitio Pinagkaisahan in Barangay Camilmil, Calapan City.
“Si Guarte ay bumisita sa kaniyang tiyuhin doon sa lugar pati ang kaibigan niya na si Konsehal Abel. Afterwards, nagkaroon sila ng inuman kasama ‘yung ibang taga doon sa compound,” said Fulache.
“Sa initial interview namin kina konsehal at sa ibang nandoon sa area, wala naman daw nakaaway nung time ng inuman. Hanggang umaga sila nag-inom, hanggang 3 a.m. After the incident, nakatayo pa siya, nakahingi pa siya ng tulong sa mga nandoon sa bahay, ‘yung babae na pamangkin ni konsehal,” he added.
Guarte reportedly sought help from neighbors who took him to Sta. Maria Village Hospital before being transferred to the Mindoro Medical Center where he was declared dead.
“Hindi raw po niya nakilala dahil tulog siya nung sinaksak siya. Nagising lang siya nung after sinaksak siya. ‘Yung babae hindi rin niya naabutan ‘yung suspek,” the police said.
According to Fulache, they are already finding out who Guarte drank with to determine who the suspect in the stabbing is.
Guarte won two silver medals at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games for the men's 800-meter and 1500-meter events in track and field.
After that, he switched to obstacle racing where he won gold at the 2019 SEA Games in the men's 5km.
He was also part of the team that won the gold medal at the 2023 SEA Games in the men's team relay.
Aside from being an athlete, Guarte also serves as an Airman First Class at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas while residing in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
— Carl Santiago, The Summit Express
