Anonymous PH calls for release of Comelec website hacker

Anonymous PH calls for the release of their member Paul Z. Biteng currently under NBI detention. Tetch Torres-Tupas/INQUIRER.net

Members of Anonymous Philippines trooped to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday and called for the release of their member currently in detention and facing charges for defacing the Commission on Elections (Comelec) website last March.

Clad in Guy Fawkes masks, the group said Paul Z. Biteng should be released from detention.

READ: ‘Hacker’ of Comelec website arrested

Biteng was charged with violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 specifically for illegal access, data interference and illegal use of devices. Biteng needs to raise P600,000 bail for his temporary release from detention.

Biteng was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) personnel. He admitted defacing the Comelec website but denied causing the data leak.

READ: Manila prosecutor approves criminal rap vs Comelec website hacker

Photo by Tetch Torres-Tupas/INQUIRER.net

“Instead of putting him into jail, why not recruit him and other hackers who have skills to protect the system? Why are we being arrested when we are only concerned and defending the cybersecurity of our country without asking for a single peso?” read a banner they held in front of the DOJ.

“Why are corrupt officials remaining at-large while a fresh graduate of IT (information technology) known in Facebook as a security expert is arrested and jailed? Where is justice? This is why we in Anonymous will continue to be on guard,” one of their members told reporters in an interview.

The group also called on Filipinos to vote wisely in the upcoming May 9 national elections.

“What we need is a government that will listen to us, a government that will look after the general welfare of its people, a government that will lead us well and will not sell our rights… Remember, politics is not showbiz. The quality of leadership cannot be based on popularity,” the group stressed.

Aside from defacing government websites, the hacktivists also owned up to hacking social media accounts of influential celebrities like Maine Mendoza to raise a message to the public. RAM