SEVERAL Philippine government websites were defaced over the weekend displaying altered content and protest messages instead of their official information.

Among those affected were the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Public Works and Highways, the Bureau of Customs, and the Bureau of the Treasury.

Screenshots of the defaced pages quickly spread on social media, sparking concerns about the security of government digital platforms.

Local government portals were also targeted.

The Tarlac City government website, for instance, was taken over on September 20 with an anti-corruption manifesto posted on its homepage.

The Department of Public Works and Highways’ official site likewise displayed tampered content before being pulled down for restoration. Observers noted that the incidents coincided with nationwide rallies, suggesting the cyberattacks were politically motivated.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology confirmed the incidents and assured the public that affected pages were being restored.

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center also reported several hacking attempts during the protests, though most were blocked. Authorities are continuing to investigate the source of the intrusions and have urged agencies to tighten security on their digital platforms.(Ma. Victoria Diana, USJ-R Comm Intern)

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• #Tarlac City Government
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