Hacked news site may be 'diversionary tactic' says Cybercrime Law critic

A critic of the controversial Anti-Cybercrime Act on Friday morning denied involvement in the reported hacking of a news site, warning that it might be a diversionary tactic meant to divide those opposed to the Act.

 

Pixel Offensive said that, while it fights for freedom of the press and freedom of expression, it would never resort to hacking.

 

"We fight for freedom of the press and freedom of expression. We do not hack websites," it said on its Facebook page.  

In a phone interview with GMA News Online, the administrator of Pixed Offensive commented, " Hackers might have their own way of expressing themselves but we at Pixel Offensive do not hack sites." 

 

In an earlier Facebook post, the group's administrator issued a similar statement categorically denying any involvement in the incident.

 

"We categorically deny any involvement in the Manila Bulletin website hacking incident. Pixel Offensive does not hack nor shall it hack ANY website. We believe in the freedom of the press and we fight for the right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by our constitution," it said.

 

The administrator also said in the interview, "What we do is create graphics, memes and post them on our site."

 

"This might be a diversionary tactic para maligaw 'yung mga tao," the administrator added. 

 

He also said that while they are one with the protests to junk the Cybercrime Law, he does not have a clue as to who is responsible for the hacking incident.

 

"Kakampi po natin ang media... We did not deface, we did not hack the said website of the media outfit," he added.

 

Earlier, an article on the website Taragis.com said the Manila Bulletin's website was hacked, where visitors were redirected to Pixel Offensive's Facebook page.

 

As of 11:41 a.m. Friday, however, the Manila Bulletin website still redirects to Pixel Offensive's Facebook account.

 

Some hacker groups had attacked government websites in past days to protest the anti-cybercrime law, whose provision on online libel they said may threaten freedom of expression.

 

As of Friday noon, no hacker group has yet owned up to the defacement of the Manila Bulletin website. — TJD, GMA News