China refutes accusations of hacking PH gov’t websites

FILE PHOTO: Computer code is seen on a screen above a Chinese flag in this July 12, 2017 illustration photo. REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration/File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese embassy on Monday evening criticized “some Filipino officials and the media” for supposedly spreading what they called “groundless accusations” that China is engaging in cyber attacks in the Philippines.

The embassy, in a statement sent to the media, said the Chinese government firmly opposes all forms of cyber attack in accordance with law.

“The Chinese government allows no country or individual to engage in cyber attack and other illegal activities on Chinese soil or using Chinese infrastructure,” it emphasized.

“Some Filipino officials and media maliciously speculated about and groundlessly accused China of engaging in cyber attacks against the Philippines, even went as far as connecting these cyber attacks with the South China Sea disputes. Such remarks are highly irresponsible,” it stressed.

The embassy’s statement was issued days after the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) disclosed that it blocked cyberattacks on the websites of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy on Saturday specifically said the attack made against OWWA’s website was traced from an undisclosed location in China.

He likewise admitted that the DICT still have not unmasked the perpetrators behind this attack, stressing the need to coordinate with the Chinese government in order to do so.

Meanwhile, Dy described the cyber breach as a “brute” attempt to take down OWWA.” He, however, noted that it did not succeed as the DICT was able to attack it back.

Following the cyberattack, some lawmakers and cybersecurity experts aired separate calls to strengthen the website firewall and systems of Philippine government agencies.