NBI nabs hacker of gov’t websites

MANILA, Philippines - Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have collared a computer hacker in Butuan City allegedly responsible for defacing the websites of government agencies last Nov. 3, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima announced yesterday.

The suspect, identified as Rodel Plasabas alias Reaper, AnonymousButuan and Anon Reaper, was arrested Wednesday after surveillance operations by virtue of a search warrant from a local court.

“He was online when the search warrant was issued. Initial check on his current chats indicated discussions on website hacks. Initial forensics were conducted,” De Lima bared.

De Lima said Plasabas was charged yesterday with violation of Republic Act No. 8792 or the e-Commerce Law before the Butuan City prosecutors’ office.

Authorities believe Plasabas is a member of a group linked to the international activist network Anonymous, which hacked 38 government websites to call for public support for their protest to seek the abolition of the pork barrel fund system of lawmakers.

Among those defaced were the websites of the Office of the Ombudsman, the Philippine embassy in Seoul, the Insurance Commission, the Optical Media Board and the Sugar Regulatory Administration.

Anonymous members are known for wearing Guy Fawkes masks, which originated from the character named V from the Alan Moore comic book “V for Vendetta.” In both the comic book and the movie, the character attacked government institutions to inspire England, then under fascist rule, to revolt.

De Lima explained that hackers could be prosecuted even without the controversial Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act), which has not been implemented by the government after it was stopped by the Supreme Court through a temporary restraining order over questions on constitutionality.

“That is a criminal offense because hacking, as we all know, disrupts public service,” she stressed.

De Lima added that hacking, based on RA 8792, is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of P100,000 under Section 33 (a) of RA 8792. – With Aie Balagtas See