MANILA – Coco Martin finally broke his silence on the unexpected exit of child star Xymon Ezekiel “Onyok” Pineda from the top-rating ABS-CBN series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.”

In an interview on Tuesday, Martin explained that Pineda’s exit was due to the boy's own request so that he can continue his studies.

“Gusto kasi mag-aral nung bata. Kami naman po naiintindihan namin. Siyempre po, kami priority namin 'yung bata, na maalagaan sila. Like kunyari po sina Paquito, kahit nagtatrabaho sila, nakakapag-aral pa rin sila,” he said.

Martin also belied speculations that he wasn’t in good terms with the child actor’s mother, who supposedly developed an “attitude.”

“Hindi po. Kasi talagang nung sinabi po nilang -- kasi nga nakaipon na, nakabili na siya ng bahay at sasakyan, tapos gusto talaga niyang mag-aral -- sabi namin, kung ano yung gusto nila, iyon ang pagbibigyan namin,” he explained.

Martin believes education is truly valuable and he would not want to take that away from a child who is eager to finish school.

“Pinakaimportante iyon eh. Mawawala tayo sa showbiz pero 'yung matutunan ng bata hindi,” he said. “Hindi puwedeng puro trabaho lang. Kailangan kahit nando’n sila sa taping, kahit four hours lang sila dapat nag-aaral sila.”

Martin likewise said Pineda is welcome to return to the show anytime.

“Kaya nga kung mapapansin niyo naka-open naman siya. Naka-open 'yung kuwento na 'yon,” he said.

While Pineda has already left “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” he is set to work with Martin again on the movie remake of “Ang Panday.”