Comval Provincial Warden released by the rebels after 27 days in captivity

DAVAO CITY, Jan 19 (PIA) Mayor Rodrigo Duterte facilitated the release of Compostela Valley Provincial Jail Warden Jose Mervin Coquilla 72 hours  after the jail officer’s wife called on him to intervene on his abduction.

He fetched Coquilla from his captors in Barangay Casoon, Monkayo, Compostela Valley 1:30 pm Monday and turned him over to Vice Governor Manuel Zamora 2:48 pm at the Compostela Valley Provincial Government in Nabunturan, Comval.

Earlier, the mayor said it is no longer healthy for Coquilla to be separated from his family.

Duterte said Coquilla’s abduction already took toll on the lives of wife and children.

He said he might be forced to bring Coquilla’s wife and children to them it the rebels would not heed the call for the jail warden’s freedom.

“The rebel movement has to choose either they release Coquilla or I bring his family to them.  I hope I have made myself clear,” Duterte said.

He said the accusations by the rebels against Coquilla remains to be proven.

Duterte said the rebels could have considered Coquilla’s right to be heard.

He said the right to be heard is ought to be inherent in any organization be it in government, and in private association.

“The right to be heard is a very important right of every individual,” Duterte said.

Lijobeth,  Coquilla’s wife who sought an audience with Duterte said their children no longer want to go to school, consequently incurring absences because of the uncertainty of their father’s fate.

She said one of the children even resigned from her work in the bank because of the incident.

“I do not want my illness to recur due to too much thinking of my husband’s situation,” Mrs. Coquilla said.

She appealed to the rebels to release Coquilla on his birthday, January 18.

Armed men abducted Coquilla from his residence 7:45 pm on December 23, 2014 in Panabo City and commandeered his vehicle towards Sitio Fatima, Barangay Mabuhay, Paquibato District, Davao City, where it was recovered.

The New People’s Army unit operating in Compostela Valley, North Davao and South Agusan took responsibility for the incident, accusing the victim of inadequate food provisions, health and medical care for the inmates, charges which the victim’s family denied.  (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)