Eleazar on Julian Ongpin indictment: Justice system is working

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday said that the indictment of Julian Onpin for possession of dangerous drugs showed that the justice system in the country is working.

In a statement, Eleazar said the PNP welcomed the move of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“We welcome this significant development in the criminal complaint filed against Ongpin. This shows that the justice system in the Philippines is working and that the rule of law applies to all,” he said.

“Lahat ay pantay-pantay sa ilalim ng batas kahit pa ang akusado ay mula sa maimpluwensyang pamilya (Everyone is equal under the law even if the accused comes from an influential family),” he added.

Ongpin is also a person of interest in the death of artist Bree Jonson, who was found dead in the room she shared with him after police authorities responded to a report of alleged suicide on September 22.

Police filed a criminal complaint against Ongpin, son of businessman Roberto Ongpin, after some 12 grams of cocaine was found in their room.

According to the PNP, Ongpin was initially arrested for alleged violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 but was released based on the order of the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of La Union.

The PNP said the DOJ said the criminal complaint against Ongpin, which is non-bailable, would be filed again before the Regional Trial Court in San Fernando, La Union.

Meanwhile, the probe into Jonson’s death by the National Bureau of Investigation is still ongoing, according to the PNP. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News