NAVAL STATION JOSE ANDRADA, Manila - The Philippine Navy, in collaboration with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), has taken action against cyber threats to national security on July 16, following the earlier successful apprehension of a hacking syndicate involved in breaching the Philippine Navy's database.

NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago reported that after the arrest of “NEWBIEXHACKER” in Tagaytay City on July 8, it was found that he possessed a code-protected file breached from the Philippine Navy's database that was sent to him by another hacker, “HAXINJA,” who also had the access code for the said data.

On July 16, in a well-planned joint operation between the NBI Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) and Naval Intelligence operatives, “HAXINJA” was subsequently apprehended in Cagayan De Oro City. 

Accordingly, in coordination with the NBI and through the  Philippine Navy's Insider Threat Program, the Navy tagged one of its employees as a "Person of Interest" in connection with the reported NBI-CCD operation.  

Upon being informed of his status, the PN employee voluntarily turned himself in for further validation and assessment. He was also instrumental in the arrest of "D4rkJ1n”, the confessed founder of the Blood Security International hacking syndicate, during another joint operation between NBI-CCD and Naval Intelligence operatives also on July 16. 

Through intensive intelligence build up of Naval Intelligence agents in collaboration with NBI-CCD, “D4rkJ1n” was apprehended in Cubao, Quezon City. 

The Blood Security International hacking syndicate is allegedly responsible for the hacking of the Commission on Elections in 2016 and other government agencies as well as private companies and educational institutions. 

“HAXINJA” faces inquest proceedings for violations of Section 4(a)(1) and Section 5(ii) of RA No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) and Section 29 of RA 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012). Meanwhile, “D4rkJ1n” faces inquest proceedings for violating Section (a)(5) of RA 10175 and Section 33(a) of RA 8792 (Electronic Commerce Act of 2000).

The Philippine Navy is committed to working closely with the NBI and other counterparts to bring cybercriminals to justice and ensure the protection of Filipinos in the cyber domain. 

PUBLISHED BY:    Naval Public Affairs Office (NPAO) CDR JOHN PERCIE A ALCOS PN(GSC) Director, Naval Public Affairs Office