DICT wants hackers targeting hospitals, elections classified as terrorists

MANILA, Philippines — Hackers who target hospitals and elections in cyber attacks should be classified as terrorists, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said.

“If you attack our hospitals, our utilities, our elections – you are not a hacker, you are a terrorist,” DICT Secretary Henry Aguda declared in a statement.

“We will not take it sitting down,” he said as he vowed to hold accountable hackers who attack hospitals and other vital government installations.

Aguda said the DICT is taking steps to protect the country’s cyberspace.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified its campaign against peddlers of false information on social media platforms, particularly what it said is fake news about the supposed kidnapping of high-profile Chinese business personalities.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil announced the formation of the joint anti-fake news action committee or JAFNAC, which is led by Lt. Gen. Robert Rodriguez, PNP deputy chief for operations.

In coordination with the Anti-Cybercrime Group, the JAFNAC is conducting a probe to identify and hold accountable the people responsible for the spread of malicious information.

Marbil said fake news has sparked fear and confusion among Filipinos. 

“The PNP will exhaust all legal and operational means to find those responsible and ensure they are held accountable. There is no room for disinformation in this country,” he said in a statement.