Data security staff who hacked gov’t websites is sorry: ‘I regret my actions’

Stock image / INQUIRER files

MANILA, Philippines — The data security officer from Manila Bulletin, who is a suspect in the hacking of government websites, said he has hacked numerous websites.

He said his activities covered government sites, private sites and web pages with international servers.

In an interview on Monday with TV Patrol, the data security officer, who was given the alias Kangkong, apologized to the victims of the platforms he hacked.

READ: NBI arrests media outlet’s data officer, 2 others for hacking gov’t websites

“Paumanhin sa aking mga biktima, lalo na po kay ating Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos. Pinagsisihan ko po ang aking ginagawa,” Kangkong said.

(I apologize to those whom I have victimized, especially to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. I regret my actions.)

Kangkong likewise apologized to Manila Bulletin technology editor Art Samaniego Jr., who he implicated as the one who allegedly directed him to hack the websites.

“Malaki po ‘yong utang na loob ko sa kanya sa lahat ng nagawa nya sa akin. Natulungan nya ako sa Bulletin, pero pasensya. Sorry, Sir Art, kasi ganito nangyari,” he said.

(I have a large debt of gratitude to him for all he did for me. He helped me in the Bulletin, but apologies. I’m sorry, Sir Art, because this happened.)

Amid his admissions, he has advised government offices with websites to invest in their cybersecurity to avoid risks and to lessen their expenses in cases of breach.

“Dapat mag-invest sila kahit papaano kasi kung hindi sila mag-invest, once na ma-breach sila, mas malaki ‘yong gagastusin nila,” he added.

(They should also invest somehow because if they don’t invest, once there’s a breach, the costs will be higher.)

READ: NBI to summon tech editor over hack claims

The National Bureau of Investigation said on Monday that it is preparing to subpoena Samaniego, who earlier denied the allegations that he was involved in the hacking.

In 2005, Samaniego, with internet service provider Tridel Technologies Inc., was also accused of conducting “vulnerability tests” on INQ7 Interactive, a joint venture of Inquirer and GMA Network.

While the case was settled out of court in 2006, Samaniego and Tridel issued public apologies for the incident.