MANILA – The Chinese embassy has refuted any involvement by Beijing in hacking incidents targeting websites of Philippine government bodies, including the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The embassy released a statement on Monday condemning what it called baseless accusations and malicious speculations by certain Filipino officials and media outlets, linking China to cyberattacks against the Philippines and attempting to tie them to disputes in the South China Sea. Such assertions, the embassy stressed, are highly irresponsible.
The Chinese government, the statement emphasized, vehemently opposes and takes stringent measures against cyberattacks, prohibiting any illegal activities on Chinese soil or utilizing Chinese infrastructure for such purposes.
This statement comes shortly after the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) disclosed that cybersecurity experts successfully thwarted hacking attempts originating from China aimed at government websites and email systems.
Rear Admiral Armand Balilo, spokesperson for the PCG, acknowledged the potential connection between the cyberattack on their website and the ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea but did not rule out other possibilities.
Cybersecurity center
According to the findings of the DICT investigation, the hackers allegedly originated from China Unicom, a state-owned telecommunications company.
The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) highlighted the need for a cybersecurity center, emphasizing that the current cybercrime laws in the country primarily center on investigations rather than prevention.
ACG director Maj. Gen. Sidney Hernia stated during a news briefing that this approach implies that cybercrimes have already occurred, and the focus is on conducting probes to hold accountable those responsible.
He emphasized that police officers involved in cybercrime investigations must enhance their skills to keep pace with their foreign counterparts.
During the weekend, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) disclosed that hackers based in China launched cyberattacks targeting government websites and emails.
Hernia suggested that law enforcement agencies should enhance security measures to safeguard the nation’s cyberspace.
The ACG is working with financial institutions and e-wallet services to bolster their defenses against online scams.
