NBI talking to witnesses who met with Bree Jonson prior to her death —DOJ chief

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is coordinating with witnesses who talked to artist Bree Jonson as well as her companion Julian Ongpin prior to her death as they conduct a parallel probe into the matter, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Sunday. 

"Nakuha na rin ng NBI ang mga sworn statements nu'ng mga kasama ni Bree Jonson at ni Julian Ongpin noong gabi bago namatay si Bree Jonson," Guevarra said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, adding that those will serve as pieces of evidence to show.

(NBI also got the sworn statements of the companions of Bree Jonson and Ongpin before Bree died.)

Jonson's body was discovered in the room she shared with Ongpin in a resort in La Union after police responded to a report on a supposed suicide incident last September. She was buried in Davao Memorial Park on September 30.

Meanwhile, NBI's autopsy on the body was already completed but several tests will still be conducted to find out Jonson's cause of death, said Guevarra.

Guevarra did not mention the results of the autopsy findings of the NBI but in the police probe, the Philippine National Police's (PNP) autopsy findings showed that Jonson died of asphyxia. 

"Sa pagkamatay ni Bree Jonson nabalitaan ninyo naman, natapos na ang autopsy na ginawa ng NBI," he said.

(On the death of Bree Jonson, as you may have heard, the NBI already finished its autopsy.)

"Sa ngayon, ginagawa ng NBI, mag-conduct ng psychological autopsy. Pati forensic and histopathological ay ongoing," the justice chief added.

(For now the NBI is conducting a psychological autopsy. Forensic and histopathological [autopsies] are ongoing.)

As the NBI conducts an autopsy on Bree Jonson, it also summoned Ongpin

Resolution on Ongpin's drug case out soon

When Jonson died at their rented resort room, police allegedly found cocaine in the possession of Ongpin.

Ongpin was detained over the drug charges but the local prosecutor ordered his release for preliminary investigation. 

According to Guevarra, the younger Ongpin's camp filed a counter affidavit to answer to the charges, and the resolution on the case will be issued after October 8.

"Ang DOJ magpapatuloy ng preliminary investigation on October 8. Pagkatapos ng October 8, ready na for resolution ang DOJ with respect of illegal drugs," he said.

(The DOJ will continue its preliminary investigation on October 8 and after October 8, the DOJ will ready the resolution regarding the illegal drugs complaint.)

The family of Bree Jonson has refused to believe claims that the artist died by suicide. Jonson's mom Sally also believes that her daughter fought for her life after she noticed scars on Ongpin's arm.

The younger Ongpin, for his part, said he did not have a disagreement with the late artist.

Ongpin said he got the wounds after forcibly opening the door of the restroom to free Jonson, who was allegedly trapped. —KG, GMA News