SEA Games medalist Mervin Guarte stabbed to death while asleep
Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist Mervin Guarte passed away at the age of 33 after being fatally stabbed in the chest while asleep.
Guarte was staying at the home of his friend, Barangay Kagawad Dante Abel, in Sitio Pinagkaisahan, Barangay Camilmil, Calapan City, when he was tragically stabbed while sleeping in the living room. The incident occurred at around 4:30 a.m.
According to Police Lt. Col. Roden Fulache, chief of the Calapan City Police, Guarte, who was a member of the Philippine Air Force, was rushed to Sta. Maria Village Hospital by nearby residents after he sought help. He was then transferred to Mindoro Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigations revealed that Guarte had been drinking with friends earlier that evening, returning to Abel's home around 3 a.m. before the incident occurred.
Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito "Bonz" Dolor expressed his outrage and demanded justice.
In a Facebook post, Dolor said, “Kinokondena ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ang sinapit ni Mervin Guarte. Hindi matitinag ang aming panawagan para sa katarungan, at patuloy naming hinahangad na mapanagot ang mga responsable sa krimeng ito.”
Tributes from fellow athletes
Following the news, the Philippine sporting community, including other national athletes and sports officials, expressed their condolences to Guarte's family.
“RIP boss, mego...nakakabigla, malungkot kami mga national athletes na kasamahan mo sa nangyari. Mine-message mo pa naman ako lagi sa tuwing nananalo ako. Justice para sa iyo,” Olympic boxing medalists Nesthy Petecio said.
Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena said: “I just learned the devastating news of the shocking death of my friend and National Teammate Kuya Mervin Guarte. May his soul rest in peace, and I am sending my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. What a tragedy. Only 33 years old.”
He added that this is a reminder to “embrace every day as a gift as tomorrow is never guaranteed.”
“Condolence sa family ni Idol. Grabe naman sana makamtan mo ang hustisya Idol,” Paralympian swimmer Ernie Gawilan also said.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino also mourned his passing, saying, "Mourning for one of our medalist athletes from Patafa (Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association) to obstacle course racing for his untimely demise."
Meanwhile, the Philippine Sports Commission thanked Guarte for his contribution. “The Philippine sports community mourns the untimely death of Mervin Guarte, a long-time member of the national team and a multi-medalist from the Southeast Asian Games. Rest in peace! Thank you for your service to the country.”
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, where he won 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.
