SEA Games gold medalist Mervin Guarte. Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation 

MANILA (UPDATED) — The police on Wednesday said they have identified a "person of interest" in the killing of SEA Games gold medalist Mervin Guarte.

A person of interest is someone who has been included in a police investigation but who has not been named a suspect, arrested or charged.

Guarte was stabbed to death in his sleep early Tuesday at his friend's house in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, following a drinking session, according to police.

The person of interest, identified by a witness, is a tricycle driver known to Guarte, Police Lt. Col. Roden Fulache, Calapan City police chief, said.

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Fulache said that the person of interest was not among those who were with Guarte during the drinking session.

Instead, he waited for the gathering to end, said Fulache.

CCTV footage showed the person of interest walking toward the house of Guarte's friend, Barangay Kagawad Dante Abel.

Minutes later, he was seen hurriedly walking away from the crime scene.  

The police also said Guarte could have also seen the person of interest when he went to buy liquor at a store.  

'PERSON OF INTEREST HARBORED ANGER VS GUARTE'

"Matagal na po atang galit doon sa victim. Hindi lang po namin ma-disclose pa 'yung mismong ano niya, motive niya, pero mayroon siyang kinikimkim na galit doon sa victim itong tao na ito," Fulache said.

(It seems he had long been angry at the victim. We just can’t disclose the exact motive yet, but he had been holding a grudge against the victim.)  

Fulache added the person of interest and Guarte knew each other because the athlete grew up in the area and had stayed there since second year high school.

Authorities are now pursuing the person of interest and have checked relatives' homes for him.

Fulache assured Guarte's family that investigators were fully committed to doing everything they could to make sure the perpetrator would be held accountable and brought to justice.

MULTI-TIME MEDALIST

Guarte was a member of the Philippine Air Force assigned to San Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas, and a resident of Barangay Malinao in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Guarte won two silver medals at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games in the men's 800-meter and 1500-meter events in track and field. 

He eventually shifted to obstacle racing, where he won gold in the men's 5km event at the 2019 SEA Games. 

He was also part of the team that secured a gold medal in the men's team relay at the 2023 SEA Games.

Fulache assured Guarte's family that investigators were fully committed to doing everything they could to make sure the perpetrator would be held accountable and brought to justice.

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The remains of the slain athlete lie at his residence in Sitio Camia, Barangay Malinao, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. 

His family has declined interview requests as they await developments from police investigators.

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