Julian Ongpin, son of billionaire businessman Roberto Ongpin, testified before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Manila Thursday, Oct. 7, after being issued with a subpoena in relation to the death of visual artist Bree Jonson.
Before appearing at the NBI Manila, Ongpin’s lawyers wrote a letter to the NBI’s officer-in-charge, Eric Distor, that they already attended the call of NBI Cordillera on Monday, Oct. 4.
“Without being disrespectful to Department Order No. 224,s.2021, we wish to manifest that in view of the earlier September 28-Subpoena which Mr. Ongpin has heeded to yesterday and whose purpose he complied with fully by answering completely all questions propounded to him by your personnel from Manila Head Office,” Ongpin’s lawyers said in a letter submitted to Distor.
Lawyers of Ongpin believed that the second subpoena that was given to them is no longer needed as they requested that the Subpoena No. 002468 issued on Oct. 1 be recalled.
The 29-year-old has been tagged as a person of interest in the death of Jonson, who was discovered unconscious in the toilet of the hostel room they rented in San Juan, La Union province, last September 18.
Ongpin said that Jonson committed suicide, a claim refused by the family of the victim. Sally, Jonson’s mother, believes that her daughter was killed.
The NBI is now examining tissue samples collected from Jonson’s remains for forensic and histopathological examinations. Results are expected to be released this week. – Jack Russel R. Ramos