A data security officer from the Manila Bulletin has admitted to hacking 93 websites, including government and private company sites, as well as servers abroad. The hacker, known by the alias “Kangkong,” was arrested along with two others by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division on June 19 following reports of multiple unauthorized access attempts and breaches.
Kangkong issued a public apology to President Marcos, the general public, and especially the military community for his actions.
Implications for Philippines National Security
Kangkong’s hacking spree exposed significant vulnerabilities in the cybersecurity measures of various organizations. Among the high-profile targets were the peacekeeping operations center website of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the mail server of the National Security Council, and the Join the PH Army website.
The hacker along with two others individuals were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division on June 19 after reports of multiple unauthorized access attempts and breaches on websites.
The hacker acknowledged the serious consequences of his actions, including the potential exposure of sensitive data of soldiers to foreign entities. “That’s when I realized that we have many enemies and we should not be going against each other,” Kangkong stated.
The officer revealed in an interview with ABS-CBN that he had left specific pictures on compromised websites as proof of his involvement.
Senior Technology Officer May Be Implicated
In his extrajudicial confession, Kangkong initially implicated Art Samaniego, Manila Bulletin’s senior technology officer, as the person who ordered the hacking of several websites. However, he later expressed regret for this claim.
Samaniego has denied allegations that he ordered the hacking to boost his social media reach. The NBI Cybercrime Division has issued a subpoena for Samaniego to explain his side to the authorities. Meanwhile, the Manila Bulletin has suspended Samaniego pending an internal investigation.
Kangkong also highlighted the inadequate cybersecurity measures in place for government and private companies’ websites, stating that this was a key factor in his ability to hack them. He urged organizations to invest in security measures to prevent similar breaches in the future.
Kangkong’s confession highlights the urgent need for improved cybersecurity measures in the Philippines. He emphasized that inadequate security was a key factor in his ability to breach these websites. “Cybersecurity is not really a priority in the Philippines,” he stated, urging organizations to invest in better security measures despite the associated costs.
