'Diablox' claims hacking gov't websites; CICC probe on

A certain individual is claiming responsibility for the recent cyberattacks on some government websites. 

In a recorded video message posted on X, formerly Twitter, an account named 'Diablox Phantom' apologized to those who were affected by the hacking.

DICT spokesperson Assistant Secretary Aboy Paraiso confirmed “that the DICT is aware of this personality” through a Viber message to reporters on Tuesday.

“There is an ongoing investigation by the CICC (Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center) for proper attribution of his identity and his claims,” Paraiso said.

The individual claiming to be behind the cyberattacks, meanwhile, said he has no plans to sell the data he collected from the hacking.

Among the systems recently hacked are those of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“Maasahan niyo na buburahin ko ang data na hawak ko. Pagkatapos ng insidenteng ito wala na pong Diablox Phantom ang mabubuhay sa cyberspace,” Diablox Phantom said.

(I have no intention of selling the data I have. You can trust me that I will erase the data I hold. After this incident, there will be no more Diablox Phantom who will live in cyberspace.)

He added that he breached government systems out of "passion."

“Pangha-hack ko sa website ng gobyerno ay passion ko lamang po ito at wala pong ibang nagtutulak sa akin na gawin po ito,” said Diablox Phantom.

(Hacking government websites is just my passion and there is no one who forced me to do this.)

The supposed hacker added that the government should give importance to cyber security.

Previously, DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Dy said the suspects who posted and leaked the data from PSA and DOST are the same.

The DICT also said earlier that a local hacker may be behind the hacking.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. last week expressed frustration amid the data leaks in government agencies.

Dy said Marcos made a call to the department and instructed it to be proactive and to enhance its defense.

“He wants to know the technical details. Sabi nga niya (He said) we shouldn't be reacting after the fact, we should be preparing before it happens,” he added.

Aside from the PSA, PNP, and DOST hacks, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) was also hit by a ransomware attack that resulted in the leak of its data.

DICT said that millions of people were affected by the data breach conducted by the Confucius group.

Earlier, the House of Representatives' official website was also offline due to "suspicious and unusual activities," according to House Secretary General Reginald Velasco.

This comes after the chamber's website was defaced and became inaccessible on Sunday. —VAL, GMA Integrated News