(UPDATED 3:30 P.M.) MANILA, Philippines- The official website of the state weather bureau was hacked Wednesday afternoon, by a group who claims to be members of “Team:X-f*ck.”
As of 2 pm, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) website only displays a white screen with the message:
Hacked by Net user !
Just fun a fun !!
Team :X-f*ck!
E-mail:794399786@qq.com!
Upon checking, the email address left by the hacker was registered with QQ.com, the most popular instant messaging program in China.
InterAksyon called the Pagasa office but was unaware of the hacking. They are now working to bring the site back up.
Later in the hour, Pagasa said in its Twitter account that their website is “under maintenance.” It also directed the public to visit: http://kidlat.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/ , which is another URL that shows the state weather bureau’s website.
This is the latest in a series of hacking incidents on government websites that had been earlier claimed by Chinese groups. Last month, the Department of Budget and Management’s website was defaced.
The homepage of the DBM website prominently displayed the Chinese flag with the words “Don’t trouble the Chinese, Don’t play with Fire” displayed below it.
Malacanang revealed that several government websites had been attacked by hackers whose IP addresses were traced to China. The hacking incidents between the Philippines and China arose from the tensions in the disputed Scarborough shoal, which is claimed by both countries as part of their territory.
