(UPDATE) SOUTHEAST Asian Games gold medalist Mervin Guarte was stabbed to death on Monday in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.He was 33.A member of the Philippine Obstacle Course Racing Team, Guarte was reportedly sleeping in the living room of the house of a barangay councilor when the unidentified assailant killed him and escaped.Guarte was a former Palarong Pambansa standout and went on to become an NCAA athletics multiple gold medalist with San Sebastian.He started representing the Philippines internationally during the 2011 Jakarta SEA Games, snaring a pair of silver medals in the men's 800 m and 1500 m events and another silver in the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games (800 m).An Airman First Class in the Philippine Air Force, Guarte took his act to obstacle course racing in 2019 when he claimed his first SEA Games gold medal in Manila.Guarte pocketed another mint at the Cambodia SEA Games in 2023 when he helped lead the men's relay team to the championship.Family, friends, and Guarte's fellow athletes mourned and sought justice for his death.In mourningPhilippine national athletes were in mourning, following the death of Guarte.'Today, I mourn the loss of a dear friend. Mangyan, Mervin Guarte, you were one of the best friends and kindest people I have met in my life,' fellow SEA Games champion Kyle Antolin wrote on Tuesday in Filipino.'You taught us how to live a life full of happiness and gratitude, like every day was the last day in the world. I will never forget what you have taught us,' he added.Other athletes, including pole vault champion EJ Obiena, Olympian boxer Eumir Marcial, boxer Adan Gonzales and fellow obstacle champion Mark Julius Rodelas, expressed their shock on Tuesday.'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,' Obiena said.'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.
