The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) emphasized on Wednesday the critical need to boost cyber resilience to protect national security in the face of escalating threats.
Speaking at the GovX.0 Summit in Pasay City on Wednesday, AFP Spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla stressed the significance of a unified, whole-of-nation strategy to address cybersecurity issues.
She highlighted the growing dangers posed by foreign espionage, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns.
“Cybersecurity is not just about firewalls, it’s about the people, the policies that govern it, technology that will be used, and of course, partnerships that we have. It’s not a siloed approach. Cyber security also should be a collaborative thing,” Padilla said.
The AFP official highlighted recent cyber incidents that have exposed critical vulnerabilities in the country’s digital and physical infrastructure.
She noted instances of unauthorized foreign intelligence operations targeting military bases, power grids, and key government facilities, alongside cybercrime and misinformation campaigns that could compromise the integrity of the upcoming midterm elections.
Additionally, Padilla expressed concern over the rise in cybercrimes associated with illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), which she said have facilitated hacking, fraud, and even human trafficking.
She emphasized that cyberattacks go beyond data breaches, posing significant threats to national stability, disrupting critical operations, and jeopardizing sovereignty. Padilla also identified the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as a critical area where both physical and digital security challenges converge.
“The West Philippine Sea is actually the ground zero for risks and opportunities. So, the topic here about our issues in the West Philippine Sea gives us a lot of risks,” noted Padilla.
The WPS issue has evolved beyond territorial disputes, becoming a cyber battleground involving intelligence operations, surveillance, and disinformation.
Padilla emphasized the need for stronger cybersecurity, regional alliances, and technological modernization to safeguard the country’s territorial and digital sovereignty.
She urged Filipinos, particularly active social media users, to remain calm and contribute to protecting the nation in the cyber domain.
Padilla also assured the AFP is prepared to collaborate with various government agencies to address these issues.