Jonson’s family elated over Ongpin’s indictment

MANILA, Philippines — The family of visual artist Bree Jonson welcomed on Tuesday the decision of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to indict her boyfriend Julian Ongpin for possession of illegal drugs. “Bree’s family is happy that a case will be finally filed against Julian Ongpin on his drug possession charge. They are looking forward to the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Julian for this case,” the Sunga Salandanan and Ampuan Law Office, which is representing Jonson’s family, said in a statement on Tuesday. The family was also hopeful that the ongoing probe of the National Bureau of Investigation would be concluded soon, and the legal team could move forward with the filing of a separate case for murder or homicide against Ongpin. The DOJ filed a nonbailable case of possession of illegal drugs against Ongpin on Tuesday at the Regional Trial Court of San Fernando City, La Union. Ongpin, 29, and son of Marcos-era trade minister Roberto Ongpin, was the last person who saw Jonson alive. Police found 12.6 grams of cocaine in the hostel room where Jonson was initially found unconscious early morning on Sept. 18.

—Dexter V. Cabalza and Marlon Ramos

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