THE friends and family of the late Davao artist Bree Jonson expressed disappointment following the dismissal of the possession of illegal drugs case against Julian Ongpin on Monday, November 15.
In a Facebook post, the Justice for Bree Jonson Facebook page captioned a shared online news article of Ongpin's case dismissal with: "The face of evil! Coddled by an equally evil system! *angry emojis*."
SunStar Davao reached out to Bree's mother, Sally Jonson, in an online message, but she has not replied as of this posting.
Sally, however, posted on her Facebook an online news article with the caption “What happened to the war on drugs?”
She also called the dismissal “Selective justice!!!”
As of Tuesday afternoon, November 16, Sally's account can no longer be searched on Facebook.
In a report from PTV, San Fernando Regional Trial Court Branch 27 in La Union dismissed the drug charges filed against Julian Roberto Ongpin, and lifted the precautionary hold departure order issued against him.
The 12-page ruling of Branch 27 Presiding Judge Romeo Agacita Jr. noted the lack of probable cause against Ongpin.
This was due to alleged non-compliance of authorities with the Section 21 provisions of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, on the inventory of confiscated evidence on drug cases.
The court also pointed out the absence of insulating witnesses such as members of the media or elected officials in the inventory of confiscated evidence.
It added that the inventory was conducted without Ongpin’s presence and that the evidence was not immediately marked, violating the chain of custody.
Bree was found lifeless in a hotel room she shared with Ongpin in San Juan La Union last September.
Ongpin, a person of interest in the death of his girlfriend, Jonson, was initially arrested after police recovered from his possession 12 grams of cocaine in a hotel room they shared in San Juan La Union last September.
The recovery came as the police investigated the room where Jonson was found dead.
The Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, however, ordered the release of Ongpin, the son of business tycoon Roberto Ongpin.
On October 18, the Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted Ongpin on illegal drugs charges. Ongpin also tested positive for illegal drug use.
In a previous SunStar Davao interview, Sally sought the help of President Rodrigo Duterte for the arrest of Ongpin, since the latter is against the proliferation of illegal drugs, as promised during his political campaign.
“Maybe [Davao City] Mayor Sara [Duterte-Carpio] can push her dad, the President, on the case of Julian because that is a drug case. And that is the fight of the country. Hindi namin kailangan ng help sa burial (We no longer need burial assistance), and all. Pero (But) support on the fight, yes. We need the support. We need them to back us up, especially doon sa case ni (on the case of) Julian,” she said in a September 28 interview.
The mother also said that having Ongpin sentenced for illegal drugs is already justice served on their part.
“Doon pa lang, 'pag nagawa niyang ikulong si Julian Ongpin, natulungan na rin niya kami. Malaking tulong na iyon (If Julian Ongpin will be imprisoned, it is already a big help for us),” she said.
Sally also expressed her disappointment in a previous media interview with the Philippine National Police for handling Ongpin's case.
She also lamented that the court was “so relaxed” in handling the case of Julian.
This had prompted her to seek the help of the National Bureau of Investigation.