JOSE MERVIN G.

COQUILLA

Morning of December 23, 2014, Sunday, upon coming home from the church, a group of

unidentified armed men appeared before him, there and then without warning, to his horror and to his

spouse and children, he was taken and brought somewhere up in the mountains of Compostela Valley

Province. Dreaded for his life, he sustained what seems to be an endless mount walks barefooted, the

sleepless nights and unimaginable living conditions at the mercy of the rebels yet uncertain if he could

still return to love of his family alive. It took more or less 28 long days of captivity before he was finally

freed on January 20, 2015, these because of one— his official public function.

The youngest, yet, if not the only one, one of the very bravest and boldest.

Brows were raised, intrigues and issues swiftly travelled down the grapevine, when at only 29

years old, our nominee, JOSE MERVIN G. COQUILLA, carved his niche in jail management and

penology, having been appointed as the Provincial Warden of the Province of Compostela Valley in 2000

___ the youngest in the Philippines. But, if one will scrutinize his track record__ he was really meant to

be, and, he truly deserved the position. It was not bequeathed to him in a golden platter.

You “don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step”.. Indeed, our nominee,

followed Martin Luther King when he took the first step of faith when he accepted the challenge to be a

jail officer in Panabo in 1994. He then manifested his unquestionable commitment and unwavering

dedication by ensuring that the jail compound is “housekept” with the “diligence of a good father of a

family”. Jail Officer Coquilla believed that the provision of clean prison environment will redound to the

well-being of the prisoners and depart their thoughts from their desolate conditions. He saw to it that

the jail compound was fully secured, the prisoners well-fed despite a meager budget and office

resources well-managed and utilized to the maximum.

 Though people expect that like the usual “men in uniform”, he is bound by rigid military rules

and demeanor, he never believed that operational goals can be achieved by mere tactical strategies. He

adheres to his personal conviction that everybody, even those behind bars deserves a good life. Deep in

his heart, he knew that when one is in prison, it is only then that he will be able to appreciate even the

little pleasure of life, a clean prison cell, food on time, a piece of bread from the warden himself, yes,

simple acts of thoughtfulness that reminds him, he is loved and someone cares. This in mind, Warden

Coquilla consistently manifested his care and compassion for the inmates by ensuring a sound and safe

environ through the highest protection of the jail compound, where he empathetically oversees more

or less 700 prisoners, like a father to his family.

The real essence of Warden Coquilla’s leadership style is embodied in the acronym, WARDEN:

Well-honed people skill.

Administration by passion and compassion. Through the years, the nominee has shown his

admirable commitment to his work institution, when he was appointed as the provincial warden of

Compostela Valley Provincial Rehabilitation Center, he refused to be unsettled by the challenges that he

had acceded to. Instead he worked hard to uplift the circumstance. , despite the lacking resources he

had made sure that the office is efficiently working, and at the same time maintaining and strengthening

the highest level of security for the penal institution.

Religion and recreation. The nominee also bears in mind the importance and sanctity of religion,

thus he had organize daily schedule of masses of different religious sect in order to cater the needs of

everyone in respecting one’s own belief.

Determination, Dedication and Discipline. The congestion in Philippine prisons is quite alarming

and ours is not an exception, the spiraling increase of the number of inmates does not equate with the
number of being released. Such concern, aggravates violence and disorder within the facility. Under the

supervision of the nominee, like a soldier facing a daunting battle, he slowly conquered these setbacks

and transformed the facility to its commendable state today, viable actions were implemented to

remedy the situation, the nominee personally undertakes immediate action by calling the attention of

the court for the release of inmates whose service exceeded their imposable penalty; he even facilitates

in providing legal assistance in pending cases of inmates , as well as expediting the issuance of

commitment orders to the transfer of prisoners. In all these actions, however minute, the nominee had

exerted in all his capacity to immediately act on the cases of the detainee for their disposition. Out of

love and out of his own pocket, the nominee extends financial assistance to those who are released in

order for the to reach and start their new journey in life. – These only shows the nominee, beyond his

job description, offers more than what is required.

Economic and Counselling activities. Always the humanitarian, he made it his advocacy to better

the situation of the detainees. Livelihood projects are provided, to help them bounce back upon release

while giving them a sense of being a part of a community and not a penal institution. These activities

includes the cooking of Filipino delicacies, handicrafts from recycled materials, gardening and beauty

care are just a few of those programs spearheaded by the nominee.

Nutrition. Due to enclosed jail environment and to the number of inmates, health issues

sprouted; the nominee ensures that medical care are immediately provided for, covering all the

locations within the premises and surveys the health of the inmates day in and day out. As well as,

engaging them to recreational activities which not only promote their wellbeing but also paves the way

for camaraderie and good-sportsmanship among them.

He faced his greatest impediment when a prisoner unfortunately escaped from the facility.

Despite being blameless of the whole situation he took the responsibility of this disastrous mishap.
During this time, he realized that you truly reap what you sow when the people he has helped in the

past graciously repaid his kindness. Showing his splendid dynamism, he became a businessman of such.

Despite being a good businessman, he never forgets to help other people and offered scholarship to

street children in exchange of the manpower they provide.

Going back to service, he realized that politics is complicated and crafty in nature and one would

barely survive without appropriate skills and experience. The change in governorship worried him as it is

traditionally the moment when almost every position in the government face inevitable changes. Biding

his time, he worked tirelessly. Hence he retained the position and continuously lengthened his

venerable record by making sure that under the new administration there was no escapee, spiritual

rehabilitations were fortified, and the facility was greatly improved and recreational facilities were

added.

However, the hurdles and challenges never cease in life. December 23, 2014 when he faced such

grievous experience that would have disheartened a lesser man. Astonishingly, Warden Coquilla after

being release from captivity, immediately delved into work despite the encouragement of the governor

to take a vacation. He insisted that he was fine and in a good condition to continue serving the people.

Because of the bravery he showed amidst grievous dangers and adversities, the dedication he

continuously demonstrates, he was given another important task as the OIC-Civil Security Unit (CSU)

Head in addition to his being a provincial warden.

No matter where he was led by the wheels of life, he consistently displayed a regal dignity of a man

confident of his position. Thus, he may be the first to hold his position for 18 long years under three

different governors. Undoubtedly, he is a man whose compassion, dedication and commitment made

him invincible.