Julian Ongpin tells NBI he, Bree Jonson trying to make up before artist's death

Julian Ongpin appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday after he was issued a subpoena following the death of artist Bree Jonson.

Jonson was found dead in the room she shared with Ongpin at a beach resort in La Union on September 18.

According to John Consulta's report on 24 Oras, Ongpin—son of businessman Roberto Ongpin—was accompanied by his lawyers when he arrived past noon at NBI headquarters in Quezon City. They went straight to the Death Investigation Division and Special Projects Team investigators.

Earlier, on Monday, Ongpin went to the NBI's Cordillera Administrative Region office in Baguio and gave his account of the events.

GMA News obtained a transcript of what Ongpin told the police in Baguio.

Ongpin said that after he and Jonson checked into the hotel on September 17, they went to a bar past 9 p.m. and spent time drinking with friends.

At around 11:30 p.m., they went to another venue and also had drinks with six friends.

When asked if Ongpin had used drugs that night, the transcript said, he did not answer directly but said that he used to do drugs.

Ongpin also claimed that Jonson drank tranquilizers, anti-depressants, and stabilizers described by her doctor, and said that they plan to submit a psychological profile of the artist.

Ongpin said that they were trying to fix their relationship, and returned to the hotel past 2 a.m. on September 18. However, he said, he felt some insecurity and decided to go out for some air and a cigarette.

Ongpin said that when he returned to the room, he couldn't see Jonson, so he looked through the high, small window into the bathroom. He claimed that he saw her hanging from the bathroom's curtain rod, and broke through the window. He then broke down the door to the bathroom, got Jonson down and carried her to the bed.

Ongpin said he then called an executive secretary of his family's company to ask for help.

The NBI said it expects the results of its forensic and histopathological examination this week.

"We are finishing with the laboratory examinations on the submitted or collected pieces of evidence at the scene of the crime," said NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin. "We are also taking the statement of Julian Ongpin. We can only thank him for cooperating and for honoring our subpoena."

Jonson's family does not believe that the artist took her own life. Her mother, Sally, pointed to the fact that Jonson was excited about an upcoming exhibit and a new studio in La Union. She also cited the wounds Ongpin had on his arms, which the latter had attributed to his breaking through the bathroom door.

Jonson was laid to rest in Davao City last week. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News