Julian Ongpin—Photo Courtesy of Julian Ongpin Young Artists/Facebook Page
MANILA, Philippines — The indictment of Julian Ongpin for the illegal possession of drugs is a welcome development for the Philippine National Police (PNP), police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said on Tuesday.
In a statement, Eleazar said Ongpin’s indictment proves that the country’s justice system is working, despite allegations that the suspect received preferential treatment due to his status.
“We welcome this significant development in the criminal complaint filed against Ongpin. This shows that the justice system in the Philippines is working and that the rule of law applies to all,” Eleazar said.
“Lahat ay pantay-pantay sa ilalim ng batas kahit pa ang akusado ay mula sa maimpluwensyang pamilya,” he added.
(Everyone is equal under the law even if the accused comes from wealthy or influential families.)
On Monday, the Department of Justice announced that Ongpin, son of businessman Roberto Ongpin, was indicted for possession of cocaine.
READ: DOJ indicts Julian Ongpin for drug possession
The illegal substance was found in his possession after police officers swept through his rented hostel room in San Juan, La Union. Ongpin’s reported girlfriend, artist Bree Jonson, was found dead last September 21.
READ: Tycoon’s son faces probe for drugs, death of companion in La Union
Local cops said that after checking the hostel where Jonson died, they found a lot of cocaine in the bed. Ongpin also tested positive for cocaine ingestion.
Ongpin claims that he found Jonson dead, in an apparent suicide. But the artist’s family disputes this claim.
READ: Eleazar: Julian Ongpin claims he found Bree Jonson hanging in bathroom
Eleazar said that on the part of the PNP, they are willing to extend whatever help they can provide to the National Bureau of Investigation, which is probing Jonson’s death.
“Kagaya ng NBI at ng naiwang pamilya ni Jonson, hangad din naming malaman ang katotohanan sa insidente kaya’t handa kaming tumulong sa imbestigasyon sa kasong ito,” he said.
(Like the NBI and the bereaved family of Jonson, we also seek to know the truth behind the incident that is why we are ready to help in investigating this case.)