The provincial prosecutor’s office released Julian Ongpin, the son of billionaire Robert Ongpin, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Eleazar confirmed Tuesday.
The 29-year-old Ongpin was caught with 12.6 grams of cocaine and is being investigated into the death of 30-year-old artist Bree Jonson.
“Sa aking huling pakikipag-usap sa [Regional Director Police Brig. Gen] Emmanuel Peralta, nagdesisyon ang Provincial Prosecutor’s Office na palayain si Ginoong Ongpin habang ini-imbestigahan ang kaso,” said Eleazar.
(In my last conversation with [Regional Director Police Brig. Gen] Emmanuel Peralta, the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, decided to release Mr. Ongpin while the case is being investigated.)
Earlier, Bree Jonson’s mother, Sally Jonson, asked the Department of Justice to issue a hold departure order against Julian Ongpin, fearing that the billionaire’s son could fly out of the country.
According to police, Jonson was Ongpin’s girlfriend. He was the last companion when he was found unconscious at a hotel in Flotsam & amp; Jetsam Resort in San Juan, La Union, on Saturday. He was later declared dead at the hospital.
Ongpin told authorities that Jonson died of suicide, according to the PNP.
Julian Ongpin released amid probe on death of Bree Jonson
Eleazar said authorities are still awaiting the results of the autopsy on Jonson’s body.
Police said Julian Ongpin was also positive for illegal drugs.
Julian Ongpin is the son of Roberto “Bobby” Ongpin, the chairman and CEO of Alphaland Corporation. The senior Ongpin was minister of trade and industry during the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos. After Marcos was ousted, senior Ongpin focused on business,includingd interests in property development, mining, and financial services. With strategic partners, he built the Tagaytay Highlands enclave in Cavite through his Belle Corp. Meanwhile, his Alphaland Corp is the developer of the high-end Balesin Island Club Resort on the coast of Quezon Province.
Forbes currently lists Bobby Ongpin as the 22nd richest man in the country, with an estimated net worth of $ 1.1 billion.
Julian Ongpin’s mother is Australian Della Stone, who has passed away from cancer. Julian himself spent years growing up in Sydney, Australia. Past profiles of him speak of his early interest in art. In September 2015, Ongpin opened the gallery of Julian Ongpin Young Artists (JOYA) at Alphaland Makati Place.
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