TAGUM CITY—Prayers, testimonies and appeals for immediate release are pouring in for the Compostela Valley Provincial jail warden who was held captive by the New People’s Army.
A Facebook page entitled “Give Us Back Warden Coquilla, Give Us Back Our Father” has served a virtual platform for families, friends and colleagues of jail warden Jose Mervin Coquilla to post their comments intently to call for his safety and immediate release.
“May God protect him, give everyone enough faith and strength, touch the mind and heart of his captors and realize how good as a person warden Coquilla is,” said a netizen, identified as Arceli Allones Timogtimog, a government worker from Compostela Valley.
Cynthia Aranas, a friend of Coquillas, in her Facebook post said: “May God in His overflowing mercy and compassion touch the hearts of Mervin’s abductors and release him immediately.”
Testimonies describing Coquilla as a good man were also posted by his colleagues and friends.
“I know Mervin personally. He is a good and humble officer in the BJMP [Bureau of Jail Management and Penology]. He is a family man and a good friend but the NPAs ignored all of these. I hope that they will release [him] soon and I pray for his safety,” said Remboy Zednanreh, a colleague of Coquilla.
Analiza R. Jardenico said: “The Reyes family can attest to how good this man’s heart is! He is loved by the whole family.”
Nymz Migz Kenny, Coquilla’s niece, said: “I will pray for you uncle. I hope you are in good hands. You are a good man. I am praying for you.”
Some comments of appeal were also directed to the New People’s Army.
“Please, I hope you release Mervin, I know this very well. My friends please release him, we are on the same path,” appealed Glenn Garry Fernandez.
Ray Pajarito said that “abducting him maybe [is] strategic but disturbing the middle class that support the cause won’t help.”
“Brothers and sisters winning a revolution is through the hearts of those who care for the needy. Mervin is one of those who has the heart for the poor, deprived and the oppressed,” added Pajarito.
As of Friday, the said Facebook page has earned exactly 1,098 likes and it has been shared by netizens, earning more sympathies and appeals.
The administrator of the Facebook page expressed gratitude to all who posted their prayers and sympathies, saying “Thanks po sa sympathy and prayers. It really means a lot to the family.”
It is believed that Tagum City Councilor Engr. Agripino Coquilla, the Coquilla family spokesperson, is the administrator of the said Facebook page.
The family had sought the help of Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to facilitate Coquilla’s release. The NPA said Coquilla was being tried in the revolutionary court for his alleged “negligence, corruption and drug-trade inside the Compostela Valley Provincial Jail.” (davaotoday.com)
