In a shocking incident, Mervin Guarte, a decorated national athlete and Airman First Class, was stabbed to death in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. The attack occurred early Tuesday morning at around 4:30 a.m. in Sitio Pinagkaisahan, Barangay Camilmil, while Guarte was sleeping on a couch at the residence of village Councilor Dante Albo Abel.
Guarte, aged 33, had been visiting his uncle and was part of a drinking session with others in the compound before the tragic event. The assailant used a kitchen knife to stab Guarte in the left side of his chest. Despite attempting to seek help from Abel’s niece, Guarte succumbed to his injuries at the Mindoro Medical Center after initial treatment at Sta. Maria Village Hospital.
Calapan City’s police chief, Lt. Col. Rodel Fulache, reported that Guarte was unable to identify his attacker before passing away. Initial investigations suggest no altercations occurred during the drinking session, which lasted until 3 a.m. A bladed weapon, believed to be the murder weapon, was found at the scene.
Guarte, a multimedalist in the Southeast Asian Games, had won two gold medals in obstacle racing at the 2019 Manila and 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, and two silver medals in athletics at the 2011 Indonesia SEA Games. His death has prompted condolences from fellow athletes, including Olympic boxing medalists Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Felix Marcial, who demanded justice for their colleague.
Local officials in Oriental Mindoro have condemned the killing. Governor Humerlito Dolor expressed his commitment to ensuring the perpetrator faces justice, while Calapan City Mayor Malou Flores-Morillo honored Guarte’s contributions to the city and vowed to support his family’s quest for justice.