CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – Police on Friday, Jan. 10, filed murder charges against the principal suspect in the killing of Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Mervin Guarte on Jan. 7.
THE Philippine Air Force will pay tribute to slain Southeast Asian gold medalist Mervin Guarte in a ceremony on Jan.13 at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. Guarte is a member of the PAF with the rank of Airman First Class assigned at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas. (Contributed photo by Marc Ambos via Jerry Alcayde)
Police Lt. Col. Roden S. Fulache, chief of the Calapan City Police Station, identified the suspect as Dionisio Refel Calooy, alias Uni, 31, a resident of Barangay Camilmil, Calapan City.
Fulache said the case was filed before the City Prosecutor's Office of Calapan.
Calooy allegedly stabbed Guarte, 32, while sleeping in the living room of the house of Barangay Councilor Dante Abel in Sitio Pinagkaisahan, Barangay Camilmil.
Guarte sustained a stab wound in the left chest and was declared dead in a hospital at 8 a.m.
Police are conducting a province-wide manhunt against the suspect who fled after the incident before dawn on Tuesday.
The suspect was caught on surveillance camera before and after the incident near Abel’s house.
The Calapan City Police Station have formed tracker teams against Calooy.
Police are eyeing old grudge as possible motive in the killing.
Fulache said they will provide photos of the suspect once the warrant of arrest is released by the court.