The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continues to tighten the security of its communications system to ensure that hostile groups cannot obtain sensitive information, its spokesperson said Monday.
“The AFP continues to strengthen its communication systems and security measures to counter potential threats,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said when asked by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) if the military is prepared for attempts of hostile groups to hack into their communications system.
While not divulging what these measures are for security reasons, the military official said these initiatives allow safe and secure communications for the AFP.
“These efforts ensure secure and reliable messaging, enabling us to effectively fulfill our mission while upholding the trust and confidence of the Filipino people,” Padilla said.
Last Jan. 17, a Chinese national and two of his Filipino cohorts were arrested in Makati City for alleged espionage activities in the country. Initial reports said the three, using a sports utility vehicle loaded with devices for espionage, conducted surveillance operations in key civilian and military installations in Luzon.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Office of the Cybercrime Division chief Jeremy Lotoc identified the three as Chinese national Deng Yuanqing, and Filipinos Ronel Jojo Balundo Besa and Jason Amado Fernandez.
The NBI and the AFP said the seized equipment has wide military applications such as artillery and missile guidance, as well as identifying the capacity for vehicle traffic in the areas surveyed, which included sites used for military exercises and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites. (Priam Nepomuceno, PNA)
