QUEZON CITY - The Cyber Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is investigating the alleged cyberattack on the networks of the Philippine Army and the Philippine Navy.

AFP Public Affairs Office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said the Philippine military’s cyberspace remains intact pending the investigation into the alleged data breach.

“The AFP is verifying the matter seriously,” Trinidad told reporters during a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday.

“In totality, the AFP has made sure—with the major services, with the establishment of the Cyber Command—to ensure that our cyberspace is secured. Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility,” he added. 

“We give you assurance that your AFP is doing its best to ensure that those particular attempts do not succeed.”

In a now-deleted social media post, a group named “Philippine Exodus Security” claimed it breached the system of the Philippine Army, days after it allegedly attacked the Philippine Navy’s system.

Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala said they have identified the group behind the illegal access attempt.

PH Army, Navy investigating alleged cyberattacks on networks

“All these groups are part of all the daily occurrences ng attacks or intrusions sa ating system. Hindi lang siya same same group na nag-attempt to intrude sa system natin. Kumbaga, marami tayong tinitignan,” Dema-ala said.

He went on: “The specifics we cannot divulge because that is part of the investigation. What we can say is that we know the IP address na ginamit nila, where they are, kung sinu-sino ang mga ito.”

He also assured that there were no compromised documents or confidential data from the alleged data breach.

“Per verification, wala naman, hindi napasok ang ating system. Walang data na nacompromise,” Dema-ala said. 

“Safe pa rin tayo dahil ang ginawa naman nila is illegal access. Meron silang ginamit na compromised account. There are a lot of possibilities but as to the hacking mismo, hindi nagalaw ang system, and the system is 100 percent working pa rin," he added.

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Dema-ala said the Army continues to strengthen its cyber defense capabilities through the PA Cyber Security Enhancement Program.

“The whole cyber unit of the PA is now conducting a thorough investigation and enhancement of the PA cyber system to ensure na secure ang ating system from these kinds of attempts,” he noted.

The Philippine Navy has also launched an in-depth investigation into the data breach claims.

It has also taken necessary measures to ensure the integrity of PN systems.

“An investigation is underway to determine the extent of the breach. We cannot term it as hacking but an illegal intrusion into our system,” said Navy spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos.

“The whole Navy IT infrastructure was not breached at all. We are further ensuring that no other breaches will be [done] anytime soon,” he assured.

Alcos added, the Navy is committed to strengthening its cybersecurity defenses and addressing potential threats to national security.