The chief of the Philippine National Police said the Bree Jonson case shouldn't be seen as a "rich-poor divide", as he addressed concerns the Ongpin family's stature could influence the investigation.
Gen. Guillermo Eleazar addressed Jonson's mother, Sally, saying: "Hindi nyo kaaway ang PNP sa kasong ito. Sa halip, ay kakampi sa paghahanap ng katotohanan."
Jonson's mother earlier appealed to billionaire Roberto Ongpin not to use his power to protect his son, Julian, who was the last person seen with the artist before she was found dead at a surf resort in San Juan, La Union in the wee hours of Sept. 18.
"This is the reason why I decided to open this case to the public, purposely to prevent unfair allegations and speculations due to the personalities invovled and being turned into a false rich poor narrative," Eleazar said.
Police filed a drug possession complaint against Ongpin, who was not detained. The billionaire's son has not been linked directly to Jonson's death. Both Jonson and Ongpin tested positive for cocaine.
Eleazar said the police investigation would focus on two things: how cocaine was snuck into the pair's hotel room and whether there was foul play in Jonson's death, which Ongpin denied.
"We will be fair and just in the conduct of the investigation," Eleazar said.
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