Photo credit: Senate PH

In a move to address the growing threat to national security, Senator Risa Hontiveros filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 923 on Tuesday, calling for a comprehensive inquiry into the recent cyberattack targeting various Philippine government agencies, particularly those safeguarding the West Philippine Sea. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has indicated that the hackers are believed to be operating from the People's Republic of China.

Expressing concern over the prioritization of discussions on Charter Change, Senator Hontiveros stated, "Habang nagsasayang tayo ng oras para pag-usapan ang Charter Change, ang Tsina hindi tumitigil sa panghihimasok sa ating bansa. Imbes na ang enerhiya natin ay mapunta sa pagpapalakas ng mga batas para sa ating pambansang seguridad, nag-aaksaya tayo ng panahon para sa interes ng iilan."

The cyberattack, announced by DICT on February 3, 2024, targeted the email systems and internal websites of various government agencies, including the Philippine Coast Guard, the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, the Department of Justice, the National Coast Watch System, the House of Representatives, and the DICT itself. Private domains, including the personal website of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr., were also compromised.

Describing the incident as a major cyberattack, Senator Hontiveros emphasized the need to focus on addressing vulnerabilities and strengthening national cybersecurity. She remarked, "While we are all busy cleaning up the mess of the sham 'People's Initiative,' China has taken advantage of the current instability in the country to strike at our vulnerabilities. Dapat ito ang pagtuunan ng pansin, hindi yung mga pekeng insiyatibo na nanggugulo lang sa mga Pilipino."

The proposed resolution referenced a 2023 research report by Palo Alto firm Unit 42, indicating a similar cyberintrusion targeting a Southeast Asian government. The report revealed attempts to install tools and malware for long-term surveillance, raising concerns about potential compromises to Philippine Coast Guard assets and security missions in the West Philippine Sea.

Senator Hontiveros concluded, "Tama na ChaCha, Tsina ang mas malaking problema. Let us stop wasting time on changing the Constitution. Unahin na natin ang mga problema sa ekonomiya at ang napakalaking banta na dala ng Tsina." The call for an inquiry underscores the urgency of addressing cybersecurity threats and protecting national interests against foreign interference.