Hackers Allegedly from China Deface Online Portals of Philippines Government

Two websites of Philippines government recently became targets of online hackers suspected to be from China. The hack occurred only days after a ruling was passed at The Hague's Permanent Court of Arbitration in Netherlands supporting the Philippines' contention with regards to the dispute brewing as to the country' sole right on what is referred to as South China Sea.

The names of the websites are Panglao and Loon and these came under hackers' control July 16th, 2016. Subsequently, on July 18, another online site belonging to COA (Commission on Audit) faced hackers' onslaught. All the 3 sites cannot be currently accessed.

The hackers planted the mask of notorious Guy Fawkes onto the background of the hacked sites. Incidentally, this mask is an official mark of the Anonymous hacktivist group. The accompanying message stated, apparently from the Chinese government, that there was no one who could give another person his freedom, nor justice or equality; a person of strength would have to take it himself.

A web-link pointing to a Twitter account appeared as being of one dormant member of Anonymous belonging to Brazil. Another web-link pointing to one YouTube account too indicates the same member executed tasks during earlier Anonymous campaigns which primarily dealt with Brazil and South America. It's yet not certain whether the Anonymous intruder actually did the hack alternatively whether the web-link posted taking onto his Twitter A/C had been posted without his consent.

When the verdict was passed at The Hague, numerous Filipinos rejoiced. As per the tribunal's ruling, the China government was unlawfully trying to assert its authority on the alleged South China Sea. China dismissed the ruling stating that The Hague didn't have any jurisdiction on the particular portion of the Sea so it could pass no ruling regarding the dispute. Ibtimes.co.uk posted this dated July 18, 2016.

With abundant natural gas as well as hydrocarbon, the South China Sea covering several islands within the West Philippine Sea is one prominent shipping corridor opening up worldwide trade. Besides China, there are 6 nation states among which the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan are included with overlapping claims.

» SPAMfighter News - 7/21/2016