Julian Ongpin claims he forcibly opened door of restroom to free Bree Jonson —police

Julian Ongpin has explained that he got the wounds after forcibly opening the door of a restroom to free the late Bree Jonson, who was allegedly trapped.

In a dzBB interview, Police Regional Office 1 Brigadier General Emmanuel Peralta said they are communicating with Ongpin, who was tagged as the person of interest in Jonson's "mysterious" death.

Ongpin told police that the nails from the broken door caused deep wounds on his arms as well as his back.

"'Yung sinasabi niya (Julian Ongpin) sa likod at kamay, gawa ng pagsuot niya sa maliit na pintuan sa CR (comfort room). Kasi nu'ng hindi lumalabas si Breana, sinira niya (ang pinto) at nasugatan siya. Nasugatan siya sa pako," said Peralta.

(That's what he is saying, his wounds on his back and arms were from trying to cross the small door of the restroom. Breana was not responding so he broke the door. He was wounded from the nails.)

"'Yun ang kwento niya, pumasok si Breana sa CR. Nagtaka siya na ang tagal, almost one hour so kinatok niya (pero) 'di siya pinagbubuksan," he added.

(Breana went to the CR.  Ongpin was wondering what's taking her so long as it is almost an hour. He knocked on the door but Breana did not open it.)

Ongpin's lawyer is also cooperative to lawmen in the investigation, Peralta said.

Jonson was found lifeless inside a resort room in San Juan town, La Union on Saturday, Sept. 18. She was with Ongpin, son of businessman Roberto Onpin.

The younger Ongpin is facing drug complaints after police recovered cocaine in the resort room. However, he was temporarily released due to the prosecutor's order but a preliminary investigation into his case will still be launched.

Jonson's mother, Sally, believed that her daughter "fought for her life." She also believed that her daughter did not die by suicide.  

Autopsy already done

Asked about Jonson's autopsy findings, Peralta said the police investigators were already finished with the procedure on Monday night.

However, Peralta noted that they still need to pursue a histopathological examination to determine Jonson's cause of death.

"Pero may isa pang exam, yung histopathological exam. Pag-examine ng organs niya para malaman ang cause of death niya (There is another procedure which is the histopathological exam. This will determine her cause of death)," he said. —Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News