Is money, influence at play in Julian Ongpin case?

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) director general, P/Gen. Guillermo Tolentino Eleazar, directed the Police Regional Office-1 (PRO-1) to ensure a ‘thorough probe’ on the death of upcoming artist, Bree Jonson, 30, last September 18, 2021 at a beach resort in La Union province.

Bree’s companion and boyfriend, Julian Ongpin, 29, son of billionaire Roberto Ongpin, was briefly held by the police but was released on the order of the local provincial prosecutor “for further investigation.”

The initial media reports of the incident disclosed that Ongpin was found positive for cocaine use and that at least 12.6 grams of cocaine was found by the police.

The elder Ongpin was former trade and industry minister under Pres. Ferdinand Marcos and has been consistently listed in the Filipino billionaires’ list of ‘Forbes Magazine.’ The Ongpins owned ‘Alphaland’ an upscale real estate and property developer.

On the other hand, the release of Julian raised eyebrows and suspicion that money and influence were at play as Section 11(4) of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), specifically provides that possession of 10 grams or more of cocaine is punishable by life imprisonment (no bail) and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million.

Julian was ordered release on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.

In his directive, Eleazar tasked PRO-1 regional director, P/BGen. Emmanuel Peralta, “to look into all the circumstances that led to the death of Jonson especially that her family wanted to know the truth on what really happened to her.”

“Nakikiramay tayo sa pamilyang naulila ni Jonson.

“Bilang magulang, alam kong mabigat ang inyong pinagdaraanan ngayon kaya sa pamamagitan ng patuloy naming imbestigasyon ay mabibigyan ng linaw kung ano nga ba talaga ang nangyari,” the Chief PNP said.

The initial report received by Eleazar disclosed that the couple, along with some friends, checked-in at the ‘Floatsam Jetsom Resort’ in San Juan, La Union. After several bottles of red wine, the group then went to their respective rooms for the night.

The next morning, Julian claimed Jonson had locked herself in the bathroom where he found her unconscious. She was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital with Julian claiming it was a case of “suicide.”

Jonson’s family, however, is suspicious, claiming her death could be a case of homicide with Julian as their principal suspect.

The release of Julian raised eyebrows and suspicion that money and influence were at play as Section 11(4) of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), specifically provides that possession of 10 grams or more of cocaine is punishable by life imprisonment (no bail) and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million.

The day he was released, the Jonson family appealed to Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary, Menardo Guevarra, to bar Julian from leaving the country.

As of September 21, 2021, Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente confirmed that an ‘ILBO’ (Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order) was issued against Julian, based on the request of Bree’s mother, Salome, who sent the request by email as she is presently in the United States.

However, an ILBO would not prevent Julian from leaving the country as it merely instructs the BI to “monitor the movement” of anyone in the list and report it to the office of Guevarra.

The DOJ added they would apply for a court-issued ‘HDO’ (hold departure order) against Julian based on the result of the preliminary investigation of the incident by the police.

In a report by GMA-7 last September 22, 2021, the day after Julian was released, Peralta said their ‘re-enactment’ of the incident, tend to support the version that Julian told police investigators.

“Nag-produce kami ng kasing height niya na babae, personnel natin, at nag-conduct tayo ng reenactment,” Peralta told GMA’s veteran field reporter, Maki Pulido.

“Hindi ko pa dinidiklerang walang foul play or meron or suicide or hindi ito, no? Ang lumalabas dito sa imbestigasyon namin, more on possibility na walang foul play at maaring nag-commit ng suicide si Breana. Going to that angle,” Peralta said.

Specifically, Peralta was referring to questions raised as to how Julian acquired bruises and wounds in his arms. As further reported by GMA-7:

Ongpin had told police that he got the wounds while attempting to break through a small window into the bathroom, where he saw Jonson unconscious.

Authorities inspected the said window and said it matched Ongpin’s testimony.

“Ang ginawa niya, bumalik na naman siya sa room. May nakita siyang maliit na window doon sa ilalim ng CR, binasag niya. Doon siya sumuot, doon ‘yung may mga nails. Doon siya nasugatan,” Peralta said.

“Then from there, inilabas niya si Breana sa CR at inilagay doon sa unang bed sa room nila. That was when he called for help,” Peralta added.

With the PNP ‘re-enactment’ tending to support the billionaire son’s version of events, no one would be surprised if Julian is cleared from the suspicion of having a hand in the death of Bree.

Pinoy Exposé would also not be surprised if the authorities choose to keep their mouth shut forever over the violation of the law on illegal drugs with the questionable release of Julian (updated Sept. 25, 2021).