Armed men snatch ComVal jail warden — police report

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Philippines – The provincial warden of Compostela Valley was abducted by armed men in Panabo City, Davao del Norte Tuesday evening, a police report said.

Jose Mervin Coquilla, chief of the Compostela Valley Provincial Rehabilitation Center (CVPRC), was snatched by four armed men in Sto. Niño village around 8 p.m., said Supt. Antonio Rivera, Southern Mindanao police spokesperson.

Rivera said initial reports revealed that Coquilla was manning his car wash business located next to his home when armed men arrived and forced him into a Navarra pickup truck (KGK-131).

The vehicle then sped off in an unknown direction.  Rivera’s text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer stated that a team of the Davao del Norte provincial public safety company (PPSC) under an officer identified only as Senior Inspector Nocidal has started pursuit operations.

Managed by the provincial government, the CVPRC shares space with the Davao del Norte provincial prison in Mankilam village, in Tagum City.