Hackers break into OSG career portal with message about ABS-CBN

Hackers broke into the online career portal of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) on Tuesday and told the agency to "stop blackmailing" the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on the ABS-CBN franchise issue.

The OSG confirmed Wednesday night that an entity which called itself Phantom Troupe "uploaded several files in the OSG online job application system (career.osg.gov.ph) in an attempt to deface the site."

"This unauthorized access resulted in the introduction of an altered screen displaying the message 'Stop blackmailing the NTC! Give ABS-CBN provisional authority!" the OSG said in a statement.

It can be recalled that Solicitor General Jose Calida warned the NTC against giving ABS-CBN a provisional authority to operate once its franchise expires. Calida told NTC commissioners they may face charges if they did so.

Before Calida made the warning, the NTC said it will grant ABS-CBN a provisional authority. No less than Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra had opined there was "sufficient equitable basis" to allow broadcast entities to continue operating while Congress decides their franchise renewal bills.

The NTC ended up ordering ABS-CBN to stop broadcast operations shortly after the company's franchise expired in May. The House franchise committee rejected ABS-CBN's franchise application in July.

The OSG said it is taking the hacking incident seriously and has augmented security measures while it conducts an investigation. Government intelligence and investigation agencies are helping track down the hackers, it said.

The OSG said it will ensure those responsible will be punished.

"This attack against the confidentiality, integrity and availability of computer data and systems of the OSG is a criminal offense under the Cybercrime Law,"  it said, adding that the crime is punishable by up to 12 years of imprisonment and/or a fine.—AOL, GMA News