JULIAN Ongpin denied he had an argument with artist Bree Jonson, his girlfriend who was found dead in their hotel room in a resort in San Juan, La Union, police said Tuesday, September 28, 2021.

In a television interview, Ilocos Police Regional Office 1 Regional Director Emmanuel Peralta said Ongpin related that he was merely trying to stop Jonson from drinking more wine.

Ongpin said he also informed Jonson of his plan to go abroad. He said Jonson did not like the idea and tried to stop him.

Peralta said this was Ongpin’s explanation for the CCTV footage that showed him grabbing a bottle of wine as Jonson drank from it. The footage was taken outside their room at around 3 a.m. Saturday, September 18.

Based on the autopsy report, Jonson died of asphyxia. She also tested positive for illegal drugs.

Ongpin claimed she killed herself inside the bathroom of their rented room but Jonson’s family refused to believe him.

Ongpin was charged over the illegal drugs confiscated from his possession. He also tested positive for illegal drugs.

The Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) both conducted investigations on the incident. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)