PNP shuts down online gun transactions

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has shut down gun-related online transactions due to a data breach attempt in the system of the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO).

PNP chief information officer Col. Jean Fajardo said the shutdown was made upon the request of the police Information Technology and Management System.

The police Anti-Cybercrime Group is also looking into the alleged data breach.

“The PNP shut down online systems of its frontline services as a preventive measure,” Fajardo told reporters.

It means that the PNP’s frontline services are decentralized while authorities put up additional enhanced security measures for its systems, she said.

Among the services affected are national police clearances as well as application and renewal of gun licenses.

“Hopefully, within the week we can finish the initial assessment,” Fajardo said.

She said a character actor identified as FH1NS was the one involved in the attempted data breach.

Fajardo said a probe is ongoing to determine the identities of the people behind the data breach attempt.