NBI probe on Bree Jonson death stalled

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra yesterday said the investigation being conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been stalled as their application for search warrant was pending due to the extended leave of the judge.

“The NBI investigation has been stalled. Our agents have a pending application for a search warrant to secure forensic evidence (the judge is on extended leave),” Guevarra said.

He added the NBI is also waiting for the Philippine National Police response to their requests for clarification on the Philippine National Police’s DNA report.

To recall, the NBI is coordinating with witnesses who talked to artist Bree Jonson as well as her companion Julian Ongpin prior to her death as they conduct a parallel probe into the matter.

Guevarra has said earlier that the NBI also got the sworn statements of the companions of Bree Jonson and Ongpin before her death.

Jonson’s body was discovered in the room she shared with Ongpin in a resort in La Union after police responded to a report on a supposed suicide incident last September. She was buried at the Davao Memorial Park last 30 September.

The justice chief said there are no Bureau of Immigration (BI) records of any recent departure by Ongpin since 2019.

“We have not lifted the immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) issued on him, considering that his drugs case has not reached any conclusive finality and that he remains to be a person of interest relative to the death of Bree,” Guevarra said.

Earlier, the scheduled hearing by the San Fernando City, La Union regional trial court on the Department of Justice’s (DoJ) presentation of evidence in the dismissed illegal drugs charges involving wealthy scion Ongpin will be conducted via videoconferencing.

Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento revealed this on Friday when asked about updates on the sensational case.

The court allowed the DoJ to present additional evidence in support of their motion for reconsideration on a recent decision dismissing the illegal drugs charges against Ongpin.