MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Monday that it is intensifying monitoring and protection of its online platforms in response to warnings from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) about possible distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks scheduled for November 5.
A DDoS attack involves malicious actors flooding a website or network with traffic, causing it to slow down or even crash.
Acting PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. assured the public that PNP units are working alongside the DICT to reinforce their cyber defenses. He confirmed that the PNP had previously experienced a cyber-incident involving compromised data—specifically in logistics and firearms records—and is now taking active measures.
“We have various systems and in fact, we’ve been victims of that cyberattack, our data was compromised… especially in logistics, firearms, and others. And we are continuously protecting that,” Nartatez said during a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
He added that the PNP is not only strengthening hardware and software firewalls but is also ensuring that the personnel managing these sensitive systems maintain integrity. “Even those who use these systems—whether administrators or recipients of the data—must be reliable,” he explained.
Among the key systems receiving enhanced protection are the e-Warrant system (which provides a nationwide database for arrest warrants) and the Situation Report & Incident Recording System, along with databases for firearms, explosives, and internal disciplinary cases managed under the Internal Disciplinary Mechanism Information System (IDMIS). These interconnected platforms hold critical and sensitive data essential to police operations.
The DICT has reminded government agencies and the public to be alert. They advise regularly updating passwords and reporting any suspicious online activity. (PNA)