AFP creating cyber command for Philippines online defense

MANILA, Philippines — The military is creating a cyber command to improve defenses against the almost-daily cyber attacks and relax its recruitment rules to attract online experts, the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said yesterday.

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner noted that several government agencies, including the House of Representatives, have fallen victim to cyber attacks and that some of these incidents came from abroad.

“Instead of recruiting soldiers for infantry battalions, this time we will recruit cyber warriors,” Brawner told reporters. “There is this general realization that this new breed of warriors does not have to be muscle strong.”

Brawner did not specify the country where the attacks are coming from, but tension with China has been high in recent months largely over the disputed territory in the South China Sea.

The Philippines has complained about what it calls aggressive Chinese action including “dangerous maneuvers” by its coastguard and navy, especially near a disputed shoal.

China has rejected the complaints saying its vessels operate lawfully in its waters.

Cyber defense training was part of the joint exercises this year with US forces, Brawner said, highlighting the growing importance of cyber resilience in defense strategy.

Brawner also said the military would stop letting telecommunication companies build cell towers in military camps. Bases have been hosting installations operated by several mobile phone firms, including China’s state telecoms giant China Telecom.

The AFP chief added that as part of a modernization drive, he was hoping to get radar equipment from Japan to boost surveillance of territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone.

Meanwhile, the?Philippine National Police (PNP) has also beefed up its cybersecurity to?prevent the attacks on its systems.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. ordered officers from?the national headquarters down to local police stations to strengthen their?cybersecurity capabilities.

To turn this into reality, PNP information technology experts are visiting police?offices and conducting vulnerability tests to check if their systems?are susceptible to computer hackers.

“We have strengthened not only the hardware, but also the software,” PNP public information officer Col. Jean Fajardo?told reporters in a news briefing.

Among the agencies that were hit by hackers is the Philippine Health?Insurance Corp. or PhilHealth, which said at least 13 million?members were affected by the Medusa ransomware cyberattacks.

Fajardo said the PNP, through its Anti-Cybercrime Group, is?ready to assist government agencies affected by data breach, if there?is a request.?“The ACG is more than willing to provide technical assistance.”