Pop and Lock plus Bakflip HD problem.

Alright, kind of ran into little issue today. I have a Bakflip HD tonneau and a Pop and Lock tailgate latch installed. Unfortunately yesterday the pop and lock did the thing where it breaks and the latch feels loose and disconnected.
Looking at previous threads on pop and lock issues i know i have to take the plastic cover off the top, issue is i cant get to the screws to take that off because of the Bakflip HD. Any suggestions before a take a sawzall to the cover?

 

Instead of cutting up the cover, why not cut or break the plastic pop and lock handle, since you have to replace it anyways? Once the handle is broken away, you can just pull on the two rods to unlatch the tailgate.