The Philippine National Police (PNP) is conducting an investigation to identify the source of the cocaine that was seized inside the room occupied by couple Julian Ongpin and Bree Jonson in La Union last week.
Ongpin was charged for possession of 12.6 grams of cocaine and PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said they want to know how he obtained the illegal drugs.
Possession of more than 10 grams of cocaine is already a non-bailable offense but in the case of Ongpin, the La Union Provincial Prosecutor's argued that his arrest was not covered by any rule on warrantless arrest. He was then ordered released for further investigation.
“Bukod sa patuloy na imbestigasyon ng PNP at ng NBI sa pagkamatay ni Bree Jonson, inaalam din ng inyong PNP kung paano at saan nakuha ang cocaine na nakumpiska sa kanilang inookupahang kuwarto sa La Union (Aside from the continuous investigation of the PNP and the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) on the death of Bree Jonson, your PNP is also investigating how and who supplied the cocaine) ,” said Eleazar.
On Friday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that the Department of Justice will take over the investigation on the drug case that was filed against Ongpin, explaining that State prosecutors will handle only the drug possession case since it is the only complaint pending before the court.
“The state prosecutors of the DOJ will now take over the preliminary investigation of this case. The case has generated a lot of public interest, so I want to make sure that it is handled very well. The prosecutor general as head of my prosecution staff will designate the state prosecutors who will handle the preliminary investigation of the case,” Guevarra was quoted saying.
Both Ongpin and Jonson tested positive for cocaine use.