PDU30 wants justice for Bree Jonson; DOJ takes over case

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken over the investigation of the still mysterious death of rising visual artist, Bree Jonson, last September 18, 2021, on the order of Pres. Duterte who said he wants “justice” to be served to her family who also hails from Davao City.

At the time of her death, Jonson, 30, was in the company of her boyfriend, Julian Stone Ongpin, 29, who told the police he found her unconscious inside the bathroom of the unit they are staying at the ‘Floatsam Jetsom Resort’ in San Juan, La Union. Jonson was brought to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Ongpin, son of one of the country’s ‘oligarchic’ families, claimed it was a case of “suicide” but Jonson’s family believed foul play was involved, as the initial autopsy said she died from ‘asphyxia’ or lack of oxygen, suggesting Jonson was strangled to death.

Julian’s father, Roberto Ongpin, was former trade minister under the administration of Ferdinand Marcos and their family has been consistently listed in the list of Philippine billionaires by Forbes Magazine (see also Pinoy Exposé, Volume 2, Issue No. 38).

Although Julian and Jonson tested positive for the use of cocaine and the police reported that 12.6 grams of cocaine were recovered from him, he was mysteriously ordered release by the provincial prosecutor last September 21, 2021.

This, despite the law on illegal drugs, RA 9165, Section 11(4), clearly stating that anyone found in possession of 10 grams or more of cocaine is punishable by life imprisonment (no bail).

The possessor is also liable for a fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million.

In a statement last September 24, 2021, DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he has directed the provincial prosecutor of La Union province to forward the case folder to the Office of the Secretary of Justice Prosecution Staff (OSJPS), where two special prosecutors have been assigned to focus on Julian’s case.

DOJ undersecretary and spokesperson Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, in a message to the media said Secretary Guevarra issued Department Order No. 229 that directed the transfer of the complaint from La Union to the DOJ main office.

“The order designated a panel of two prosecutors from the OSJPS to conduct the preliminary investigation of the complaint and to file the corresponding information/s in court if warranted by the evidence,” Villar said.

Presidential spokesperson, Atty. Harry Roque, in a Palace briefing on Monday, confirmed Pres. Duterte’s desire that justice be served to Jonson, whose body was finally brought to Davao City last September 26, 2021.

In a Palace briefing last Monday, September 27, 2021, presidential spokesman, Atty. Harry Roque, confirmed Pres. Duterte’s directive.

“Yes, and he has instructed the criminal justice system of the country to accord the victim’s justice.

“Pero kinakailangan po na hayaan natin na magpatuloy ang imbestigasyon, para malaman natin kung ano ang nangyari,” Roque added.

‘Double standard’ of justice

Lawyer Ma. Moreni Salandanan, counsel for the Jonson family, cried “double standard of justice” in the handling of the drug complaint filed against Julian.

Salandanan said Ongpin should not have been released from police custody, considering the amount of drugs seized from him.

“Based on my experience, no person caught in possession of a large amount of drugs has been released for further investigation.

“So far, with Julian Ongpin, he must be the richest person I have been up against, but for my other clients who are not as rich as him, it’s more difficult in trying to release them from detention,” Salandanan said in an interview on DZMM’s ‘Teleradyo.’

“So, in a sense, there’s double standard here,” Salandanan said.

She added that the amount of cocaine recovered from Julian constitutes a capital, non-bailable offense (this is a developing story).