Potential cyberwar between Pinoy, Indonesian hackers averted by Veloso reprieve

The reprieve granted to overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso may have defused a brewing cyber-war between pro-Philippine and pro-Indonesia hackers.

 

On Tuesday, a group of pro-Philippine hackers calling itself BloodSec International defaced a number of Indonesian websites to seek clemency for Veloso. In a terse message set against an ominous red background, the group asked for understanding for Mary Jane Veloso:

 

The group branded the death penalty "nothing short of barbaric," adding that most criminals could better pay for their crimes "by giving back good for the rest of their lives."

 

Also, it said the judges who ordered the penalty "are murderers themselves who have only power, but no right to take another's life."

 

It posted on PasteBin a list of Indonesian sites it targeted:

 

As of 1 p.m. Wednesday, some of the attacked sites were still defaced.

 

But pro-Indonesia hackers threatened to hit back:

 

 

They also reminded their pro-Philippine counterparts that each country has its own laws "which we must respect."

 

But after Veloso's reprieve was announced early Wednesday, BloodSec thanked Indonesia for its decision:

 

 

With the near-row with Indonesia over, the pro-Philippine hackers as of Wednesday afternoon turned their sights on China.

 

They attacked a Chinese commercial site and posted a message—also behind a red background—to stop reclamation activities in disputed areas.

 

"Others may think this action does nothing, but so does sitting around while waiting for something to happen. We have a voice and we will use it to make a stand. We will say no against this oppression for we care about our country," it said. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News