Philippines Detects Foreign Cyber Intrusions Aimed at Intelligence Data Theft

• The Minister for Information and Communications in the Philippines announced attempted cyberattacks.
• Philippine government systems were targeted by threat actors who tried to steal data, not cause disruptions.
• These cyber intrusions attributed to APTs have avoided critical infrastructure so far.

The Philippines has detected attempts by foreign actors to access intelligence data, but no breaches have been recorded, according to the country’s Minister for Information and Communications, Ivan Uy.

The attacks, attributed to Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), have targeted Philippine government systems with the intent of stealing data rather than causing disruption. Uy noted that the country’s cyber defenses have held firm despite repeated attempts, avoiding infiltration so far.  

“These have been present for quite some time, and threats come from many actors, but a big majority of them are foreign,” Uy told Reuters. Some of the threats are described as "sleepers"—malicious programs embedded in systems, revealed only through rigorous cybersecurity checks. 

Uy emphasized that cyber intrusions have avoided critical infrastructure so far. However, he acknowledged the difficulties in attributing attacks to specific perpetrators, as attackers often leave misleading digital traces to obscure their identities.

To mitigate these sophisticated threats and strengthen defenses, the Philippine government has been working collaboratively through diplomatic channels and intelligence sharing with the military and international allies. 

The rise in cyber threats underscores a larger global issue, which Uy called a “digital arms race.” Malicious actors—state-sponsored or otherwise—exploit vulnerabilities for strategic or financial gains. 

“World War III is happening and it is cyber,” Uy warned. “These weapons are non-kinetic. They are cyber, digital, virtual.”

Cybersecurity concerns are further heightened ahead of the Philippines' mid-term elections this May, with a notable increase in misinformation campaigns, deepfakes, and fake media outlets emerging to manipulate public opinion. 

Uy’s ministry has launched tools to counter these digital disruptions, which he stressed pose significant risks to democratic processes.  

Last year, the country reported blocking attempts by hackers based in China from infiltrating government websites and email systems, including agencies focused on maritime security. 

Last month, the National Bureau of Investigation was breached, exposing 45 million rows of highly sensitive details.