SEA Games medalist Guarte dies in stabbing attack

MANILA, Philippines — Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Mervin Guarte suffered a tragic end after a stabbing incident that led to his demise Monday 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 managed to call for help and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he expired.

It was a gruesome death to an athlete who has 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.