Sen Hontiveros files resol'n to probe cyberattacks on govt sites, incl. WPS-related breaches

Senator Risa Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution 923 to investigate recent cyberattacks on Philippine government websites, including those related to safeguarding the West Philippine Sea.

The resolution directs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security to probe these attacks in aid of legislation, focusing on breaches that may have compromised national interests in the WPS.

DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy identified one attack on OWWA's website as originating from an undisclosed location in China; hackers breached email systems and internal websites using a cloud service provider over the weekend.

Hontiveros highlighted potential long-term surveillance threats posed by malware installed on critical defense networks, affecting resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal and security of Philippine Armed Forces personnel.

The senator urged lawmakers to focus on crafting legislation for national security rather than pursuing constitutional changes, emphasizing that China's cyberattacks exploit current political instability in the Philippines.

On February 2, the DICT reported that several government agencies' email systems and internal websites were breached, including those maintained by the Philippine Coast Guard, Cabinet Secretary’s office, Department of Justice, National Coast Watch System, House of Representatives, and the DICT itself.

Hontiveros cited a 2023 Unit 42 research report which suggested that similar cyber intrusions targeting Southeast Asian governments attempted to install malware for long-term surveillance.