Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

THUMBNAIL-CYBER

Benise Balaoing

Karen De Guzman

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is warning of a possible Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) on November 5.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2025/9/21/dict-cicc-respond-to-series-of-cyberattacks-on-gov-t-websites-amid-sept-21-rallies-2026">READ: DICT, CICC respond to series of cyberattacks on gov&#x27;t websites amid Sept 21 rallies</a></div>DDos, a type of cyberattack, happens when actors flood a website with traffic, causing it to slow down or crash.Some <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/02/22/22/probe-sought-on-cyberattacks-on-news-websites">Philippine news websites</a> and even <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/10/06/21/senate-website-di-ma-access-dahil-sa-cyber-attack">the Senate</a> have previously fallen victim to cyberattacks. The DICT said this is not a data breach, and no money, accounts, or personal data will be stolen.Instead, the agency asked the public to:• Try accessing the website again• Use its app or status page• Follow verified updates• Avoid being part of illegal online activitiesThe DICT said it is working with the Cybercrime Investigating and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to protect online platforms.According to Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) Acting Executive Director Usec. Renato Paraiso, November 5 is usually a global protest day used by so-called hacktivists or hacker activists.&quot;It&#x27;s a very significant date especially when it comes to the hacking community. It&#x27;s the fifth of November, which is a global symbol for protest, global day of protest,&quot; he said.The fifth of November or Guy Fawkes Day is a British event, but the 2005 movie V for Vendetta further cemented it and made the Guy Fawkes mask and date synonymous to protest.&quot;This is the day that yung mga hackers natin most active when it comes to their advocacies and activism,&quot; Paraiso added.Every year, he said, hackers protest a different issue, and this time the flood control controversy can be the topic for this hacking incident or website defacement. He urges all government agencies to prepare for the possible breaches online.Paraiso also urged the public to immediately report any slowdown or any breaches they see online.&quot;Kung may makita sila or naramdaman sila na meron hindi maayos o hindi gumagana sa serbisyo sa gobyerno pagdating sa digital aspect o sa mga websites nila, ipagbigay alam sa DICT at CICC hotline 1326,&quot; Paraiso said.<div> </div><div>PNP ON ALERT</div>Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) assured the public that it is fully prepared to respond to any possible cyberattacks.Police Brigadier General Bernard R. Yang, Acting Director of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), said the organization continues to strengthen its cybersecurity defenses.&quot;The PNP is in fact prepared for any possible cyberattack. We keep on reminding our units and personnel to always secure the different systems of the PNP,&quot; Yang said.Acting PNP Chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez said that even without the DICT’s warning, the PNP remains vigilant in protecting its digital infrastructure.&quot;We have different systems and in fact, we&#x27;ve been victims of that cyberattack, na-compromise &#x27;yung ating data, especially sa logistics, the firearms, and others. And we are continuously protecting that,&quot; Nartatez said. He added that the PNP has intensified measures to secure both its hardware and software systems, as well as ensuring the integrity of its personnel who manage sensitive data.&quot;To protect our system ay ginagawa natin ang iba&#x27;t-ibang activities like to ensure firewall, ensure the integrity of hardwares and even software. And even &#x27;yung mga tao natin na gumagamit ng mga system na ito, either they are the administrator or recipient of this data. So, kailangan may integrity doon,&quot; he explained.The e-Warrant is among several vital digital systems that the PNP is securing against possible cyberattacks. It serves as a nationwide database for arrest warrants, allowing police to verify and act on cases in real time. Alongside this, the PNP also protects its Situation Report and Incident Recording System (SIRAS), as well as databases on firearms, explosives, and internal disciplinary cases under the Internal Disciplinary Mechanism Information System (INVIS). Nartatez said these interconnected systems hold critical and sensitive data essential to police operations, which is why the organization continues to strengthen their cybersecurity.

DICT warns of possible DDoS cyberattack on Nov. 5

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DICT warns of possible DDoS cyberattack on Nov. 5

Benise Balaoing,

Karen De Guzman,

Jekki Pascual,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 03, 2025 10:50 AM PHT

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Updated Nov 03, 2025 02:39 PM PHT

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DICT

DDoS

cyberattack

Department of Information and Communications Technology

PNP

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