(Trigger warning: Story mentions violence, intentional self-harm that may be disturbing for some. If you are having thoughts of suicide, know that help is always here. You are not alone. Call the National Center For Mental Health 24/7 Crisis Hotline 1553, 0917 899 8727(USAP), and/or 7-989-8727 (USAP).)
The late artist Bree Jonson's mother on Tuesday appealed to billionaire Roberto Ongpin, not to use his influence to protect his son, whom she feared might have left the Philippines.
Julian Ongpin was the last person seen with Jonson before she was found dead in the bathroom of their resort room in La Union last Sept. 18. Police have not released updates on the young Ongpin's whereabouts except that he could be charged with illegal drug possession.
Sally Jonson, who flew to the Philippines from Canada after her daughter's death, said she asked the Department of Justice to issue an immigration look-out order against the young Ongpin.
"Ang sa akin lang is, kung may kasalanan ang anak mo, ipagpanagot mo sa kanya 'yun... Sana mabigyan mo ng tamang proseso, idaan natin sa investigation, 'wag 'yung idaan ninyo sa power and everything. Iayos natin ito, kawawa naman 'yung anak ko," she said sobbing.
Sally said her family was no match to giants like the Ongpins.
"I would like to really emphasize this urgency kasi baka si Julian nakalabas na ng bansa," she said in an ANC interview.
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Jonson's mother said Julian should explain what happened to her daughter.
The young Ongpin looked anxious (balisa) when he reported to staff at Flotsam and Jetsam resort that Jonson had died, Master Sergeant Alfredo Fajardo told reportr earlier.
Sally said her sister got hold of copies of the testimonies of Flotsam and Jetsam resort employees, saying they heard a loud noise from the room before Julian went out to ask for help. Bree was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. She was autopsied past 8 p.m. Monday.
"Makita mo talaga may mark si Bree dito sa leeg na mahaba, dalawa, tapos meron parang pulang pressure dito sa gitna. So alam mo 'yun, maiisip mo something happened there. Kasi ang pinapalabas nila is that nag-OD ang anak ko o nag-suicide ang anak ko, hindi e."
She also got hold of a copy of Julian's mugshot, she said.
"Talagang nakakatakot, nakakapanindig balahibo. 'Yung arm ni Julian may deep scratches so parang, ano 'yun? Talagang nanlaban anak ko? Sino ang gagawa nun sa kanya?"
As of Tuesday morning, Bree's father and other relatives are in La Union to bring her back to Quezon City for a two-day wake. She will then be brought to Davao City to be buried beside her maternal grandmother, Sally said, hoping she can have her quarantine shortened so she can see Bree.
"Tutal kababayan ko naman si President. President Rodrigo Duterte, sana matulungan mo ako makakuha ng shortened quarantine and for justice sa anak ko kasi marami namang signs na hindi siya nag-OD, hindi siya nag-suicide."
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