The Philippine National Police on Tuesday vowed for a thorough probe on the death of young painter Bree Jonson along with the possible involvement of her boyfriend, Julian Roberto Ongpin, in the incident.
In a statement, PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar said they will look into the circumstances that led to the death of Jonson, who was found unconscious in Flotsam & Jetsam Resort in San Juan, La Union before she was declared dead on arrival in a hospital on September 18.
“This is but another proof that your PNP applies the law without fear or favor. Mayaman man o mahirap, patas ang pagpapatupad natin ng batas dahil hindi lang dangal ng PNP ang nakataya dito kung hindi ang pagtitiwala ng sambayanang Pilipino on the basic but important concept of rule of law,” Eleazar said.
According to the Ilocos Regional Police, they were able to seize 12.6 grams of cocaine in the room the 30-year-old painter shared with Ongpin, the son of former Trade Secretary and prominent businessman Roberto Ongpin.
Ongpin was earlier released while the investigation was still ongoing.
In a separate statement, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra assured a rigorous investigation, adding the Office of the Prosecutor General will issue a statement regarding the incident, including Ongpin's release.
"I just want to assure everyone that this matter will be investigated thoroughly to find out the truth and to ensure that justice will be done," he said.
Jonson's mom cries for help
Jonson's mother Sally, meanwhile, in an interview appealed for a lookout bulletin and hold departure order against Ongpin before the Department of Justice (DOJ) as she fears he might leave the country while the investigation is still ongoing.
“Siya ang last person na kasama ng anak ko sa resort na iyon... I would like to reemphasize this urgency kasi baka si Julian ay nakalabas na ng bansa [because he might be out of the country already],” she told ANC Headstart.
She also denied that her daughter was using illegal drugs.
"Maiiisip mo na something happened there. Ang pinapalabas nila, nagci-circulate sa social media is that nag-OD (overdose) o suicide ang anak ko. Hindi eh," she said.
[You will think that something happened there. They were trying to circulate on social media that she overdosed or died by suicide. It's not true.]
Currently, authorities are waiting for the result of the autopsy on Jonson’s remains to determine if there will be additional charges filed against the younger Ongpin.
