Justice for Mervin Guarte: Senator Cayetano, sports icons call for action

By Dennis U. Eroa

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and top paralympian Ernie Gawilan joined the chorus of voices seeking justice for two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Mervin Guarte who died January 6 after being stabbed while sleeping in a house of a friend in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Mervin Guarte, a young man who brought pride to our nation as gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games and who served with honor as an Airman First Class in the Philippine Air Force,’’ Cayetano said.

Stressing that violence has no place in the Philippine society, Cayetano called upon law enforcement agencies to conduct a swift and thorough investigation to ensure that the perpetrator is held accountable.

‘‘It is our collective responsibility to work toward a safer nation for all,’’ said Cayetano. ‘‘The senseless act of violence has taken away a talented athlete and dedicated serviceman who still had so much to offer to his family, community, and our country.

‘‘I join his loved ones, the sports community, and the men and women of the Philippine Air Force in mourning this heartbreaking loss. Let us honor Mervin’s memory not only by celebrating his achievements but also by seeking justice for this heinous crime.’’

Cayetano said Guarte’s legacy as an athlete and servant of the nation will inspire generations to come.

Like Cayetano, Gawilan, a swimming ace, said he was saddened by Guarte’s demise.

‘‘He died violently,’’ said Gawilan, many-time Olympian, Asian Games and SEA Games winner. “Justice for Mervin.”

Earlier, Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino seeks a speedy investigation into the killing of Guarte.

‘‘He’s a big loss to Philippine sports, for obstacle sports and athletics in particular. I am hoping that the crime will be solved soon.’’

Paris Olympics veteran and pole vaulter EJ Obiena also expressed sadness on Guarte’s death. Like members of the sporting community, Obiena asked authorities to solve the crime. Boxer Nesthy Petecio also mourned Guarte’s death.

Police Lt. Col. Roden Fulache, Calapan City police chief, said a witness already identified a person of interest. The assailant stabbed the sleeping Guarte in the chest. Despite his wound, Guarte was able to call for help and was rushed to the nearest hospital but died.

Al Agra, president of the Philippine Obstacle Sports Federation, also mourned Guarte’s passing. He gave the country gold medals in obstacle racing in the 2019 Manila and 2023 Cambodia editions and silver medals in the 800 and 1500-meter events in the SEA Games.

‘‘Aside from loving obstacle sports and running, he loved his family and he loved his community. It was with and through him that we helped in the renovation of the St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro,” Agra wrote in his Facebook. ‘‘We will miss you, Mervin. Thank you for your service. POSF is eternally grateful. May you Rest In Peace.”

Guarte was 33.

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Dennis Eroa

Columnist at Sports Bytes PH

After 25 years of working with the Inquirer Group of Companies, Dennis decided to make an early retirement due to the pandemic. Formerly a college editor of UE’s The Dawn, Dennis learned the craft from the country’s leading chroniclers of sports namely Recah Trinidad, Al Mendoza,Jimmy Cantor, Chito Manuel and the late Larry Galvez, Doc Inigo and Tito Tagle. In the early 90s, Dennis became a section editor of Riyadh Daily, Saudi Arabia’s first English newspaper. He is an active member and officer of the Philippine Sportswriters Association, Tabloids Organization in Philippines and the Sports Communicators Organization in the Philippines, He covered local and international sporting events while working at Sports Flash, Malaya, Headline, Evening Standard, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Libre and Bandera.