The Philippine Army (PA) confirmed Monday there was an attempt to infiltrate its cyber network, but clarified it was not a hacking incident.
In a message to reporters, Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said they have detected and acknowledged an “illegal access attempt” by a certain group, which was addressed immediately.
“The Philippine Army already identified this group and (is) currently conducting counter-measures to prevent such cybersecurity incidents in the future,” Dema-ala said.
“Moving forward, the PA continues to strengthen its cyber defense capabilities through the PA Cyber Security Enhancement Program, which is a key component of our modernization thrust,” he added.
Dema-ala clarified that the issue was described as “illegal access,” not “hacking” based on the assessment of the Army cybersecurity unit.
Cybersecurity advocacy group Deep Web Konek previously reported a breach in the Philippine Army’s network, claiming it exposed “highly sensitive personal and operational data of military personnel.”
The group identified a Philippine Exodus Security group as the alleged perpetrators of the cyberattack.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy through spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos also notified reporters that they are investigating an alleged data breach within its system.
“The Philippine Navy has initiated a detailed investigation regarding the data breach claims and has taken necessary measures to ensure the integrity of our systems,” Alcos said.
He acknowledged that “cybersecurity is a shared responsibility,” therefore, the Philippine Navy is taking public reports on the matter seriously.
“The Philippine Navy encourages the public to work with us and contribute constructively in safeguarding the nation’s security,” Alcos said.
He noted that the Navy is committed to strengthening its cybersecurity defenses and addressing potential threats to national security.
Earlier, a Facebook page called “Philippines Exodus Security” claimed that the personal data of thousands of lotto winners from 2016 to 2025 had been compromised. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, however, denied this.