The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced it will coordinate with the Senate and cybercrime authorities to investigate the recent defacement of the Senate website and hold those responsible accountable.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to assess the security weaknesses that allowed the intrusion and to trace the digital footprint left by the hackers.
“While we are relieved that no sensitive or confidential data was compromised, an attack on a vital government institution remains a serious breach of security,” Nartatez stressed. He added that the PNP will work closely with Senate officials to preserve digital evidence, enhance cybersecurity measures, and identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
The hacking incident, detected on June 11, involved unauthorized modifications to the Senate website, with the group “Nullsec Philippines” claiming responsibility on social media. The hackers framed their actions as a protest against alleged state corruption and political dynasties.
According to the Senate Electronic Data Processing-Management Information System (EDP-MIS) Bureau, technical teams quickly activated security protocols to contain the breach. The website primarily hosts publicly accessible documents, and no confidential records were at risk.
PGen Nartatez emphasized that cyberattacks targeting government infrastructure constitute criminal activity, regardless of any political justification. “Digital vandalism is a serious crime, not a legitimate form of protest. Ideological grievances can never justify sabotaging state infrastructure, and the PNP will aggressively track down anyone who compromises government digital systems,” he warned.