The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said Wednesday it is implementing measures to protect the integrity of the 2025 electoral process.
DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy underscored the threat posed by cybercriminals.
“These cybercriminals are highly imaginative and creative. So every time the government takes action to stop them, they find new ways to evade the law and bypass the restrictions we put in place,” Uy said.
The DICT said with the mid-term elections approaching, one pressing concern is the proliferation of international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catchers, or devices that mimic legitimate telecommunication cell sites to intercept communications and harvest sensitive data.
Uy also raised the alarm about a “carrot-and-stick” strategy employed by cybercriminals. The “carrot” method entices victims with promises of rewards, loans, or job opportunities, while the “stick” method involves fraudsters posing as government agencies to coerce individuals into clicking on malicious links.
These tactics are increasingly used to deceive voters and candidates, contributing to digital fraud.
Uy, the chair of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Advisory Council under Republic Act No. 9369, is leading efforts to protect the integrity of the elections.
The DICT is also spearheading efforts to address the rising threats of misinformation and disinformation to safeguard the electoral process.
“COMELEC has sought our assistance in enhancing detection mechanisms and guiding the public on identifying fake information, misinformation, and deepfakes used to discredit candidates,” Uy said.
DICT signed a partnership with ABS-CBN to address key issues such as misinformation, cyberattacks and the spread of deepfakes, the same being essential to maintaining the election’s integrity.
The DICT also implemented strict measures to protect citizens from digital fraud. Policies now prohibit clickable links in SMS messages from official sources, and DICT works with telecommunications providers to block suspicious messages.
The department is also enforcing the SIM Registration Act to reduce fraudulent activities and has launched the Cyber-Bantay initiative to educate the public on cyber hygiene and digital safety.