PNP: No foul play in Jonson’s death

MANILA, Philippines — Billionaire scion Julian Ongpin is no longer a person of interest in the death of artist Bree Jonson as investigators found no signs of foul play in the incident, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced yesterday.

“He is not anymore a person of interest to the case,” PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said in a statement.

Carlos assured the public that the police would cooperate in the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s investigation into the case.

“We will advise the Police Regional Office 1 to respond to the request of the DOJ regarding the DNA report. Rest assured that we will cooperate with the DOJ should there be additional queries and requests for documents,” Carlos said.

On Nov. 15, Judge Romeo Agacita Jr. of the La Union Regional Trial Court Branch 27 dismissed the complaint for cocaine possession filed against Ongpin for lack of probable cause.

The DOJ indicted Ongpin for drug possession after the La Union police allegedly recovered more than 12 grams of cocaine from the hostel room where Jonson was found dead last September.

Jonson and Ongpin both tested positive for cocaine use.

Ongpin, 29, son of former trade secretary Roberto Ongpin, has been removed from the list of persons placed under hold departure order by the Bureau of Immigration following the dismissal of the drug charges filed against him.