oh bro, this same shit happened to me, l tryed to remove the old filter and the stupid neck broak off up high in the inside Such a bitch BUT its easy becaue hint hint ITS PLASTIC this is what l did,
a pair of needle nose pliers
grab an edge (its hard but u can slide one arm of the needle nose plire on the side)
once you do that that close it so it grabes it,
now leaver the pliers downward so that you break a part of the plastic off
NOW prosuming you have gottin rid on a good chunk making it look like a "C" with one part missing
now go back and remove another pecie
now after a good side is missing go to the other side and jam one side of the pliers under it and close the pliers and pull down (may take afew tryes)
if youd liek to me explain of the phone and that you understand heres my number 1-519-386-3020
names Brad
hope this helps bro