CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – Oriental Mindoro second district Rep. Alfonso V. Umali Jr. joined the call of Gov. Humerlito A. Dolor and first district Rep. Arnan C. Panaligan for a thorough investigation on the murder of Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Mervin M. Guarte in Barangay Camilmil, this city, on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
PEOPLE visit the wake of Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Mervin Guarte in Barangay Malinao, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. (Contributed photo)
“Mervin is not just an athlete but he is also a hero who gave honor to our country. May justice be served on him as we pay tribute to his exploits that inspired many Filipinos,” Umali said in a social media post.
Dolor and Panaligan called on the Philippine National Police to fast-track their investigation following the appeal of the sports community and the Philippine Air Force for justice to Guarte.
Mayor Malou Flores-Morillo here condoled with the family of the victim.
Guarte, 33, single, a resident of Barangay Malinao, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, is a member of Philippine Airforce with the rank of Airman First Class and assigned at Fernando Airbase, Lipa City, Batangas.
Investigation said the victim was sleeping in the living room of the house of Barangay Kagawad Dante A. Abel in Sitio Pinagkaisahan when an unidentified assailant entered and stabbed him in the chest.
Police who arrived in the crime scene one hour after the incident recovered a bladed weapon without handle believed to have been used by the suspect.
The wounded Guarte was able to seek help from neighbors and was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead.
Police Col. Edison Revita, Oriental Mindoro police chief, said through his information officer that the Calapan City Police Station are still conducting follow-up investigation.
But a closed-circuit television camera reportedly caught a person of interest in the killing.
The CCTV footage posted online showed the POI, reportedly tricycle driver known to the victim, walking in an alley towards Abel’s house and leaving a few minutes later. The POI allegedly had deep grudges against the victim.
Guarte's remains were taken to his home in Barangay Malinao.