Chinese government hackers infiltrated the executive branch of the Philippines power and accessed confidential data, as reported by sources familiar with the situation. The attack targeted various Philippine institutions, including a network of hospitals and government departments involved in coastal defense.
The hacking incident, first uncovered in 2023, resurfaced in August 2024. The stolen data reportedly included military documents pertaining to the territorial dispute between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Hackers utilized stolen accounting data to deploy malware and erase traces of their actions.
While the Ministry of Information and Communication of the Philippines acknowledged the ongoing attacks as “constant” and the work of adept groups, it refrained from verifying the data breach. Countries like the USA, Australia, UK, and Japan have extended technical support and protective measures to assist the Philippines. Private cybersecurity firms are also collaborating in the investigation. The breach at the President’s office was part of a broader espionage campaign linked to the apt41 group, spanning from June onwards and involving data theft.
China has denied any involvement in the cyber attacks, reiterating its stance against such activities and denouncing politically motivated allegations. However, China has faced similar accusations in the past, such as the 2023 hack on an unnamed Philippine agency and a thwarted attack on the Administration of Philippine Workers abroad in February 2024.
According to a study by Sentinelone in May, ideologically driven hacker groups have been attempting to disrupt the stability in the Philippines through cyber attacks. Another cybersecurity company, Resecurity, highlighted in a report that cyber attacks on the Philippines surged by 325% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the previous period, with a notable increase in hacktivist activities and disinformation campaigns.
The Philippines is at the forefront of the territorial dispute with China over the South China Sea, positioning it as a central player in the regional conflict due to its close alliance with the US.