Solicitor General Jose Calida (File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Solicitor General on Thursday said it will pursue criminal charges against those behind the hacking of its website last December 1.
“The OSG will see to it that the individuals and institutions behind this act will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the OSG said in a statement.
The OSG said they have already coordinated with intelligence and investigation agencies to identify the hackers.
“This attack against the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of computer data and systems of the OSG is a criminal offense under the Cybercrime Law. Any person found guilty shall be punished with up to 12 years imprisonment or a fine of up to a maximum amount commensurate to the damage incurred or both,” it added.
The attack was initiated by a group that identified itself as “Phantom Troupe.” It has left a message: “Stop blackmailing the NTC! Give ABS-CBN provisional authority” on the site.
Early this year, Solicitor-General Jose Calida has filed a quo warranto case against ABS-CBN Corporation and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence Inc.
The network’s franchise has expired last May. Initially, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said during a Congressional hearing said ABS CBN can still operate with a provisional franchise. It, however, changed after Calida warned the NTC that such a decision could open a prosecution for graft.