PNP chief orders all police units to intensify measures vs cyber attacks

File photo of PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil during the turnover ceremony at Camp Crame on April 1, 2024.
INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Marbil has instructed all police units to strengthen their cybersecurity measures following the reported possible breach in its logistics, data, information, and management system on Monday.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said Marbil gave the directive since the police force also has other data systems vulnerable to these online attacks.

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“Nagbigay na po ng utos ang ating PNP chief hindi lamang po sa directorate logistics kung di sa lahat ng PNP units na nag-ma-maintain ng system, to make sure to strengthen the cybersecurity to prevent similar incidents at mapalakas lalo ang security ng ating mga system,” Fajardo explained.

(The PNP chief has already issued an order not only for the directorate logistics but also for all PNP units maintaining a system to boost their cybersecurity measures to prevent similar events and strengthen all systems.)

After receiving reports on the alleged purported breach, Fajardo said the IT officer immediately shut the system down to prevent further damage.

According to her, the PNP’s Anti Cybercrime Group is already investigating the alleged breach and has already gathered server logs, which are currently processed by its digital forensics, to determine the possible origin of the leak and to identify those involved with the purported hacking attempt.