Government to go after 'e-vandals'

MANILA -- Malacañang on Monday assured that the government is already acting on the so-called "e-vandals," who hack government websites.

"Ang sasabihin lang namin ay may hakbang ng mga ginagawa ang gobyerno. Ginagawan (na) natin ng hakbang para tukuyin ang sinumang gumagawa nitong mga masasamang gawain," said Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda in a press briefing.

Lacierda said, however, that he would not divulge whatever moves the government was doing to catch these e-vandals.

"Let me remind everyone that hacking is a crime punishable even under the e-Commerce Act. So matagal na po itong isang criminal offense kaya ginagawan natin ng hakbang para tukuyin ang sinumang gumagawa nitong mga masasamang gawain. We will not telegraph our punches in media," he said.

Lacierda noted that "e-vandals are doing damage not only to the Philippine government if they intend to hack the Philippine government websites. They have been successful in some not on the others."

He urged everyone to help the government in catching those who seek to hamper government activities and services online by hacking government websites.

"This hacking is not a positive activity on the part of those who seek to hamper government activities, services online. But I think the protest should not come only from the President on these activities against the e-vandals. It should be a common protest against illegal activities," said Lacierda.

With regard the libel provision in the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, the Palace spokesman said there should be a mechanism for those in cyberspace.

"The subject of libel is already found in the Revised Penal Code. Never at any time did the Supreme Court rule that libel was unconstitutional. It has been in the Revised Penal Code for so long," he said.

"There should be a mechanism for responsibility that accompanies any freedom, in this case, freedom of expression. We’ve recognized that there are reasonable limitations to freedom of expression. The laws on libel, the requirements are quite explicit on the definition and what should constitute libel," he said.

In agreeing that there was a need for the libel provision in the Act, Lacierda said that the government wasnot "to suppress freedom of the press or freedom of expression."

"Hindi ho natin pakay ‘yon sa pagtayo ng Cybercrime Protection Act. In fact, we already stated the reasons why it is necessary for us to have a Cybercrime Protection Act," he said. (PNA)