The National Bureau of Investigation confirmed that Mary Ann Maslog was briefly released from the bureau's detention facility on January 6 after a release order was presented, which was later found to be fraudulent.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH's Damdaming Bayan on Wednesday, NBI Director Jaime Santiago revealed that an investigation is underway regarding the incident.
He further stated that the jail warden and two other officers involved have been relieved of their duties.
"Yan po ang mahigpit naming iniimbestigahan ngayon at mayroon talagang isasampa kaming kaso sa tauhan namin o sa kanya basta’t after the investigation po, malalaman niyo po," said Santiago.
Maslog was recently convicted of graft by the Sandiganbayan in connection with the 1998 textbook scam, receiving a sentence of six to ten years in prison for violating Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Officials from the former Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS), now the Department of Education (DepEd), were implicated in the multi-million peso corruption scheme.
According to reports, Maslog posed as an agent for a textbook publishing company. She was scheduled for conviction in the case in 2019 but was reported deceased at that time, allegedly to avoid prosecution and conviction.
Maslog fled to the United States and, upon her return to the country, began using the alias Dr. Jesica Sese Francisco.
In September 2024, the NBI arrested her in connection with her alleged involvement in an investment scam.
During the promulgation of the decision, the issue of Maslog's temporary release was raised. The Sandiganbayan then directed the NBI to submit a progress report to clarify the circumstances surrounding her release.
The NBI Director pointed out that due to Maslog's numerous fraudulent actions, they plan to file multiple charges against her, including falsification, alongside her attempted escape.
"Talagang napakagaling niyang gumawa ng mga para-paraan at ‘yun ay may i-finile na po kaming kaso sa kanya ng falsification, maliban sa pagtangka niya na naman na pagtakas, may ifi-file pa ho kami kaya patong-patong ‘yung magiging kaso niya," Santiago stated.
Santiago stated that NBI Assistant Director Noel Bocaling quickly traced her brief release, which led to her immediate apprehension and return to her detention cell.
