MANILA, Philippines — Police are tracking down a person of interest in the killing of Southeast Asian Games (SEAG)s’ double gold medalist Mervin Guarte in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.
Calapan police chief Lt. Col. Roden Fulache told The STAR yesterday that efforts to locate the person of interest are ongoing.
Guarte, 33, was stabbed in the chest while sleeping in the house of a kagawad in Barangay Camilmil on Tuesday.
The suspect, armed with a bladed weapon, barged into the house at around 4:30 a.m., attacked Guarte and then fled.
Although wounded, Guarte was able to seek help and was rushed to the Sta. Maria Village Hospital for treatment. He was transferred to the Mindoro Medical Center where he died.
Police recovered at the crime scene a bladed weapon believed used in the killing.
Fulache said Guarte and the person of interest had known each other for years.
“It appears the person of interest held a grudge against the victim. The suspect waited until after the victim finished the drinking session with his friends to carry out the attack,” Fulache said.
Police have visited several barangays where the person of interest has relatives, but failed to find him.
Fulache expressed belief that the person of interest is still in the area.
Aside from being a two-time SEAG gold medalist, Guarte was an airman first class of the Philippine Air Force.