Duterte orders ‘criminal justice system’ of PH ‘to accord justice’ to Jonson, says Roque

FILE PHOTO: President Rodrigo Duterte. Screenshot from RTVM youtube live

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has directed “the criminal justice system of the country” to give justice to artist Bree Jonson, who died in La Union last September 18.

In a press briefing Monday,  presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was asked if the President is aware of the Jonson case.

“Yes,” Roque said, “and he (Duterte) has instructed the criminal justice system of the country to accord the victim justice.”

“Pero kinakailangan po, hayaan natin na magpatuloy ang imbestigasyon para malaman natin kung ano talaga ang nangyari,” he also said.

(But we need to let the investigation take its course to find out what really happened.)

Jonson was found unconscious inside a hostel room she reportedly shared with Julian Ongpin in San Juan, La Union last September 18. The 30-year-old painter was later declared dead in a hospital.

Ongpin, meanwhile, was arrested – and later released from police custody by the prosecutor – after being charged for possession of 12.6 grams of cocaine and testing positive for drug use.

Ongpin had claimed he found Jonson hanging in the bathroom but the artist’s family believes there was foul play.

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KGA