‘Portuguese hacker’ hacks Cebu City website

CEBU, Philippines - The official website of the Cebu City government remains down after it was hacked by someone who identified himself as a ‘Portuguese hacker’ few days ago.

Management Information and Computer Services (MICS) chief, Conrado Ordesta III, said they are still in the process of recovering the website. The Public Information Office, however, assured that no vital information was affected.

“Dili man gyud na in-ana ka protected.  Walay vital information (in the said website),” said public information officer Carlo Dugaduga.

Ordesta said he does not know why ‘Portuguese hacker’ defaced the city’s website.

The website http://www.cebucity.gov.ph/ contains directories and latest news of the city’s activities.

Ordesta said they will ask help from the experts to investigate the incident and possibly identify the hacker. He vowed that charges will be filed against whoever is responsible for it. Ordesta, however, said that his priority is to recover the website as soon as possible.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he will let Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella handle the matter.

Labella, in a separate interview, said he will initiate an investigation on why and how did it happen.

“I will request the City Attorney’s Office and some of the lawyers to conduct an inquiry on the matter,” Labella said.

This is the second time the city’s website was hacked. In December 2012, the site was also hacked by a hacker who identified himself as ‘Brazilian hacker.’ The site, however, was immediately restored. (FREEMAN)