The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said that over 200,000 cyberattacks are recorded daily in the Philippines targeting the country’s telecommunications sector.
The revelation comes as Congress deliberates the proposed Senate Bill 2699, also known as the Konektadong Pinoy Act, that aims to loosen regulatory oversight on telcos and encourage new market entrants.
DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy disclosed during a recent media briefing that the National Security Operations Center monitors around two million cyberattacks daily.
While government websites are the primary targets—accounting for 50 percent of these attacks—the telecommunications industry faces a significant 10 percent share, alongside threats to the academic, banking, and healthcare sectors, said Dy.
“With telcos being critical to connectivity, any vulnerability can have far-reaching impacts on national security and public safety,” he warned.
The Konektadong Pinoy Act seeks to streamline telco operations by eliminating the need for congressional franchises, a move criticized by consumer advocacy groups and cybersecurity experts. Under the proposed law, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) would see its role reduced with limited oversight powers.
CitizenWatch Philippines and Stratbase ADR Institute had cautioned that the bill could lead to unchecked abuses and weakened consumer protections.
“While connectivity is vital, this legislation may expose the country to entities with malicious intent,” Stratbase said in a statement.
The Philippines has become a hotspot for cyber espionage due to its underdeveloped cybersecurity infrastructure, according to intelligence firm CYFIRMA.
Global cybersecurity provider Cloudflare likewise reported a staggering five billion cyberattacks daily in the Philippines during the first quarter of 2024, marking a 28% rise from the previous quarter.
Efforts to address these threats include Globe Telecom’s $90 million investment in bolstering cybersecurity defenses. Additionally, public and private institutions have joined forces under the PROTECTA Pilipinas initiative to enhance national cyber resilience.
As the country pushes for broader connectivity, experts stress the importance of balancing technological progress with robust cybersecurity measures. With the telco industry under constant threat, stakeholders urge lawmakers to reevaluate the proposed Konektadong Pinoy Act to ensure that any regulatory changes do not compromise national security or consumer welfare.
