Person of interest knew slain SEA Games gold medalist for years—police

Police are tracking down a person of interest in the fatal stabbing of Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Mervin Guarte in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro.

Calapan police chief Roden Fulache told The Philippine STAR that Guarte and the person of interest had known each other for years.

“It appears the person of interest held a grudge against the victim," Fulache said. "The suspect waited until after the victim finished the drinking session with his friends to carry out the attack."

Police have visited several barangays where the person of interest has relatives, but failed to find him.

Fulache believes the person of interest is still in the area.

Guarte was sleeping in the house of his friend, a kagawad, in Barangay Camilmil on Jan. 7 when the suspect stabbed him at around 4:30 a.m.

The suspect, armed with a bladed weapon, barged into the house and fled after the attack.

The wounded Guarte sought help and was rushed to Sta. Maria Village Hospital. He was then transferred to Mindoro Medical Center where he died. He was 33.

Police recovered a bladed weapon at the crime scene.

Guarte had been drinking with friends earlier that evening, returning to his friend's home around 3 a.m. before the incident occurred.

Guarte represented the Philippines in various competitions. He started as a middle-distance runner, winning silver medals at the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta. He later switched to obstacle course racing, winning gold medals at the 2019 and 2023 SEA Games. In 2024, he was the 2024 Spartan Asia Pacific Champion in the men’s beast 21 km.