The Philippine National Police (PNP) has called on all government agencies to urgently reassess and strengthen their cybersecurity systems following the defacement of the House of Representatives’ official website in a recent cyberattack.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the incident underscores the growing threat of cyberattacks against government digital infrastructure and the need for tighter defenses across all agencies.
“This incident serves as a reminder that cybersecurity must remain a top priority for all government agencies. We encourage institutions to regularly review their security protocols, update their systems, and strengthen monitoring mechanisms against evolving cyber threats,” Nartatez said.
Authorities said the House website was defaced on Saturday, just days after a similar incident hit the Senate website. A hacking group reportedly claimed responsibility for both attacks, describing them as a protest against alleged government corruption.
The PNP confirmed that its Anti-Cybercrime Group has been directed to coordinate closely with the House of Representatives’ IT and cybersecurity units to trace the source of the breach and assess its full impact.
Nartatez said investigators are also preparing to file appropriate charges against those responsible under existing cybercrime laws, once sufficient evidence is gathered.
“I have directed the ACG to immediately coordinate with the House of Representatives and other relevant agencies to determine the source, method, and extent of the website defacement. We will pursue a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible are identified and held accountable,” he said.
The PNP chief stressed that cybersecurity protection requires a coordinated, whole-of-government approach, combining preventive safeguards, rapid incident response, and sustained inter-agency cooperation to defend against increasingly sophisticated digital threats.