The Senate website was defaced as police tightened security around the chamber following a reported threat against the institution.
In a statement Thursday, the Senate’s Electronic Data Processing-Management Information System said the website had been subjected to an “unauthorized modification,” commonly referred to as website defacement.
The EDP-MIS said its technical team immediately activated security protocols, contained the incident, and launched an investigation to determine how the breach happened and how far the unauthorized activity reached.
The office said additional safeguards are being put in place to prevent a similar incident.
Based on its initial assessment, the Senate said there was no indication that confidential or sensitive information had been compromised. It noted that the website mainly contains publicly available documents and information materials.
A Facebook page using the name “Nullsec Philippines” claimed responsibility for the defacement, saying the act was meant to express frustration over issues involving the Senate and the government.
In its post, the group criticized alleged corruption and called for transparency and accountability from public officials.
It also questioned the Senate’s reported P6.5-million allocation for a web application system this year, claiming vulnerabilities still existed. The group posted what it claimed was an invitation to bid for a one-year subscription to a Web Application and API Platform with an approved budget of P6.5 million.
The cyber incident came as the National Capital Region Police Office deployed additional personnel around the Senate compound after the National Bureau of Investigation received a reported security threat.
NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said 300 police officers were assigned to secure the area.
The heightened security was implemented following the directive of Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian. Visitors, including those from senators’ offices, were temporarily barred from entering the Senate compound.
The security situation also coincided with the postponement of a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who chairs the subcommittee handling the inquiry under the Cayetano bloc, said the hearing was called off out of respect for the victims of the strong earthquake that struck Mindanao on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Pasay City Environment and Natural Resources Office cleared tarpaulins, standees, and other materials placed by supporters of the Duterte family along the center island and sidewalk of Diokno Boulevard near the Senate compound.
The materials had been in the area since mid-May, after Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa left the Senate compound on May 14.