Hacking news rocks cybersecurity community and ICT journalists

THE National Bureau of Investigation's presentation to media last June 21 of three hackers who were charged with violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act (Republic Act 10175) for allegedly hacking the websites of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and National Security Council has sent shock waves through the cybersecurity community and ICT journalists, meriting space in the front page of the Manila Bulletin's June 22, 2024 issue.

Even more newsworthy than the hacking and data breach incidents in the past few months is the fact that among the alleged hackers apprehended by the NBI is an individual identified as the Manila Bulletin's data security officer who claimed that he had been ordered by the newspaper's IT editor and IT head, Art Samaniego Jr., to hack certain websites, and that the results of the hacking became the subject of Mr. Samaniego's articles. The NBI is now reportedly investigating some hacking incidents that appear to be linked to Mr. Samaniego's reporting, which had indications of breaking news.