Hatch is stuck closed

The Latch On My 03 Pt Cruiser hatch back is sticking out and won't go back flush with the body and the tailgate is stuck closed. I can't get to any of the fasteners to disassemble anything. There is a plug on the inside of the car that reveals a hole into the latch area but blindly poking around didn't reveal any kind of release triger. My after market repair manual was no help and the dealers only suggestion was bring it in and we'l look at it (for$110/hr.) Help the only thing I can see to do is to saw the latch loop in the door fame that I can barley see from inside the car.