SEA Games medalist Guarte dies in stabbing attack

(UPDATED 2:37 P.M.) MANILA, Philippines — Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Mervin Guarte suffered a tragic end after a stabbing incident that led to his demise Tuesday in hometown Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

“We are still in shock, very sad,” said Philippine Obstacle Sports Federation president Alberto Agra after learning of Guarte’s passing.

According to police reports, the unidentified assailant stabbed Guarte to the chest while the latter was sleeping in the living room of Brgy. Councilor Dante Albo Abel at 4:30 a.m.

Guarte, an Air Force man, managed to call for help and was rushed to a nearby hospital before expiring.

It was a gruesome death to an athlete who had brought honor to the country following a pair of SEA Games gold medals in obstacle racing and the same number of silver medals in athletics.

He was 33.

The incident drew an outpouring of condolences from friends and fellow national team mainstays, including Olympic boxing medalists Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Felix Marcial.

“RIP boss meg. Nakakabigla, malungkot kami mga national athletes na kasamahan mo sa nangyari,” said Petecio. “Mine-message mo pa naman ako lagi sa tuwing nananalo ako. Justice para sa iyo.”

"Rest in peace, meg,” said Marcial.

“Mourning for our one of the medalist athletes from Patafa to Obstacle for his untimely demise,” Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, for his part, said.

“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,” said Philippine Sports Commission chair Richard Bachmann in a statement.

“Rest in peace! Thank you for your service to the country, Mervin,” he added.

For Olympian pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, he will miss someone he considers like an older brother.

“I just learned the devastating news of the shocking death of my friend and National Teammate Kuya Mervin Guarte,” said Obiena. “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.”

“This is another poignant reminder to us all, that we must embrace every day as a gift as tomorrow is never guaranteed. Blessed to have shared the track with you. Rest well my friend,” he added.