Credits to the owner
MANILA — The hacker known as “Kangkong” has claimed responsibility for hacking 93 websites belonging to government and private companies, both in the Philippines and abroad. The 24-year-old, who has only completed elementary education, revealed his activities in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
Kangkong, whose hacking journey began at 15, said he learned the skills through self-study. “Curiosity lang talaga. Kasi nakita ko may skills ako sa pagtinker ng mga bagay. So nag-self study ako ng hacking. Inaral ko kung paano mag-hack ng website hanggang sa nakuha ko na po,” he explained.
In an extrajudicial confession, Kangkong implicated Manila Bulletin Senior Technology Officer Art Samaniego in ordering the hacking of several high-profile websites, including the Peacekeeping Operations Center of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Security Council’s mail server, and the Philippine Army’s recruitment website.
“Pag may mga website ako na hinahack sinesend ko sa kanya. Depende kung gaano kalaki ang government agency ‘yun, yung titignan niya kung gagawan niya ng article. Tapos nung nagkita kami, naghahanap ako ng work, sabi niya baka pwede ako sa Bulletin,” Kangkong said.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is set to subpoena Samaniego to respond to these allegations. Samaniego has denied any involvement in Kangkong’s hacking activities.
Kangkong expressed remorse for his actions and for implicating Samaniego, to whom he feels indebted. “Malaki po ang utang na loob ko sa kanya, sa nagawa niya sa akin sa Bulletin, pero sorry Sir Art na ganito ang nangyari… Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa aking mga biktima. Lalo na kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos. Pinagsisisihan ko ang aking ginawa,” he stated.
He also issued a warning to other hackers targeting government websites, particularly those involving national security. Reflecting on his breach of the AFP database, he acknowledged the severe consequences of his actions. “Nung ni-leak ko ang database ng AFP, na-realize ko yung consequences na dapat di ko ginawa kasi ang laki ng effect sa military community. Siyempre na leak ko yung data ng mga sundalo… at may foreign na tao na nakakuha noon. Doon ko narealize na mayayari tayo. Doon ko narealize na marami tayong kalabanan at hindi tayo dapat nagtitirahan sa loob,” he said.
Kangkong emphasized the urgent need for improved cybersecurity in the Philippines, criticizing the current lack of investment in this area. “Hindi po talaga priority ang cybersecurity sa Pilipinas. Dapat mag-invest sila sa security. Alam namin na mahal mag-hire ng tao, mahal ang tools na kailangan. Pero dapat mag-invest sila kahit papaano kasi kung hindi sila mag-invest at na-breach sila, mas malaki ang gagastusin nila,” he urged.
The Manila Bulletin has condemned any unauthorized access to information systems and is conducting its own investigation into the matter. The publication has expressed its willingness to cooperate with authorities.
