The Philippine National Police (PNP) has assured the public that it will work closely with the Senate and cybercrime authorities to investigate the defacement of the Senate’s website.
The move comes following the reported hacking incident on June 11.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. has directed the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to evaluate the vulnerabilities that may have allowed the alleged cyberattack while tracing the digital footprints left by those responsible.
According to Nartatez, although no sensitive or confidential data appears to have been compromised, an attack on a government institution remains a serious breach of security.
He stressed that digital vandalism is a serious crime and should not be considered a legitimate form of protest.
“While we are relieved that no sensitive or confidential data was compromised in this defacement, an attack on a vital government institution remains a serious breach of security,” PGEN Nartatez said.
“The PNP, through the Anti-Cybercrime Group, will work closely with Senate officials and relevant government agencies to assess the incident, preserve digital evidence, strengthen cybersecurity measures to prevent similar attacks in the future, and identify and arrest the perpetrators behind this unauthorized modification,” he added.
Nartatez added that claiming to be engaged in “hacktivism” does not exempt anyone from legal accountability.
He further assured the public that authorities will aggressively pursue and identify anyone found compromising government digital systems.
(PHOTO COURTESY: PNP)
