Mervin Guarte wins gold in Obstacle Course Race men’s individual 5km x 20 event of 30th SEA Games at Filinvest, Alabang. INQUIRER photo / Richard A. Reyes
MANILA, Philippines — A person of interest (POI) in the killing of Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Mervin Guarte has fled their residence in Barangay Camilmil, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, the chief of Calapan City Police said on Wednesday.
According to Calapan City Police Chief Lt. Col. Roden Fulache, Guarte and the POI, whom he did not identify, knew each other as they grew up in the same area.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Mervin Guarte, SEA Games gold medalist, killed in stabbing
FEATURED STORIES SPORTS Kai Sotto laments 'darkest day' after ACL injury SPORTS PBA: Ready for battle, Joshua Munzon leads Northport upset of Ginebra SPORTS PBA: NorthPort beats Ginebra for the first time in five yearsLocal police have also conducted their investigation and found that the suspect was not among the individuals Guarte had been drinking with before the crime happened.
“Sa ngayon, may person of interest na binabantayan po. Based sa investigation namin, wala doon sa nakainuman niya [Guarte] ang suspect natin,” Fulache said in a Teleradyo interview. “Pero may POI na po tayo sa incident,” he added.
The difference between Philippine imports and exports of farm goods rose by 13.8 percent to $3.07 billion in the April to June period from $2.7 billion a year prior.
Despite Ponce de Leon’s roots in the peaceful provincial town of Dumaguete, he appears captivated by the frenetic cycle and fast-paced art world in the city. “I work best under stress and pressure. It’s all or nothing,” he says with a relaxed smile.
Article continues after this advertisement(At present, we have a person of interest under watch. Based on our investigation, the suspect was not among those Guarte had been drinking with. But we already have a POI on the incident.)
Article continues after this advertisementFulache added the POI was also .
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: PH sports mourns death of SEA Games gold medalist Mervin Guarte
“Wala na po siya doon sa kanyang tinitirahan na malapit lang sa pinangyarihan ng krimen,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisement“Pinuntahan na rin po namin ‘yung ibang lugar na maaari niyang puntahan at wala na rin po siya doon sa mga lugar na ‘yon na pinuntahan po namin,” the Calapan police chief added.
(The POI is no longer at their residence, which is near the crime scene. We also visited other places where the POI might have gone, but the POI was not there either.)
READ: SEA Games 2023: Mervin Guarte relishes success in obstacle course racing
The Calapan police chief expressed hope that the case could be resolved within a week, saying the police are intensifying their manhunt operation.
“Patuloy po ‘yung pagtutok po namin. Diretso naman po ‘yung ating manhunt operation para sa whereabouts noong ating binanggit na POI,” he said.
“Kinukumpleto lang po namin ‘yung mga ibang ebidensya at tuloy-tuloy po tayo sa pagkalap ng impormasyon sa mga witness po natin na nakuhanan po natin ng information,” he added.
(We are closely monitoring the case. Our manhunt operation for the POI is ongoing. We are completing the evidence and continuously gathering information from witnesses.)
The Calapan City police previously reported that Guarte was stabbed in his sleep early Tuesday morning while staying at a friend’s house in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.
The Philippine sports community mourned Guarte’s death, remembering him as “a long-time member of the national team and a multi-medalist from the Southeast Asian Games.”
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
Two-time Olympian and pole vault star EJ Obiena also paid tribute to Guartekagame ph, who won two gold medals in obstacle course racing at the SEA Games.
READ NEXT NBA: LaMelo Ball, Hornets snap 10-game skid at expense of Suns Phoenix import rallies teammates to slump-busting triumph over... EDITORS' PICK Rain to prevail in 13 areas in Luzon, Visayas due to shear line, amihan Joblessness eased in November, job quality improved – PSA Is the world ready for the next pandemic? Self-rated poor Filipinos rise to 63% in Dec 2024, says SWS survey Helping PH football part of 1-Pacman first nominee Milka Romero’s goals Thousands of devotees attend opening of Fiesta Masses in Quiapo MOST READ LIVE UPDATES: Feast of the Jesus Nazareno Vic Sotto set to file case vs 'maker of Pepsi Paloma trailer' Rufa Mae Quinto in NBI custody amid arrest warrant over SEC complaint Isko Moreno surges ahead of Lacuna and Verzosa in mayoral polls Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View commentsNext：None