Philippines: Hackers attack website of agency in charge of police

The website of the Philippines’ Department of Interior and Local Government got “pwned” by hackers on Tuesday, joining a long list of government websites falling prey to hackers.

Ironically, the DILG supervises the country’s main law enforcing arm, the Philippine National Police.

The hacker was able to enter the website and posted the following announcement under the Events subcategory:

The hacking continues. Latest victim is the DILG, which is in charge of the police.

As of press time, the post is still viewable, and a thumbnail may still be seen from the website’s frontpage.

The hacker left this message on the post:

DILG wesite Hacked by RedHat9112 ft. BatangMahiligMagbatibot

along with a visual that said:

Are you secured? OWNED

The past few years has seen the rise of incidence of hacked government websites.

Hackers and their supporters say the attacks are helpful, if only to show the vulnerabilities of websites operated by the government.

Most hacking incidents directed at government sites have mostly involved defacing or changing the content of the websites, and have not denied access to the public.

In one incident, the Department of Health’s website showed a defaced photo of the health secretary blowing penises instead of horns. The photo was part of a publicity campaign dissuading the public from using firecrackers for New Year’s Eve revelries.