PCG recovers Facebook page, identifies 3 hackers

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said it has fully recovered its Facebook page that was hacked on Monday.

In a statement, the PCG said its Coast Guard Public Affairs Service (CGPAS) has full access to the Facebook page as of 5:45 a.m. 

Three hackers were discovered after the PCG conducted backend operations with the help of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).

The PCG said the Facebook names of the three hackers are Fatima Hasan, Murat Kansu, and Vicky Bates.

According to the CICC, the hackers used malware to breach the security of the PCG's Facebook page.

On Friday, the CICC will conduct a comprehensive hardware check on all office laptops and computers CGPAS personnel use to access their official social media platforms.

The PCG said this is to remove possible remaining traces of malware and strengthen the overall cybersecurity against potential breaches.

Before the hacking of the Facebook page, the PCG also monitored hacking attempts on its website and experienced a problem on its account on X (formerly Twitter), which has already been resolved.

On Wednesday, the PCG said there is no strong evidence to conclude that the cyber attacks are connected with its intensified efforts in the West Philippines Sea (WPS). —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News