- Anonymous Philippines hacked the Comelec website on Sunday evening
- The hacktivist group demanded for the implementation of VVPAT features on PCOS machine
- The Comelec website has not been functioning since 11:30 pm
MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Election (COMELEC) website has been hacked on Sunday evening, March 27 by hacktivist group Anonymous who demanded the poll body to implement the security features on the PCOS counting machines.
Anonymous left a message on the website’s portal which is no longer working as of 11:30 pm on Sunday.
“Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them. One of the processes by which people exercise their sovereignty is through voting in an election- where people choose the candidates who will best represent them, who will serve them under the principle that “Public office is a public trust,” the message read.
The group apparently questioned the government and the poll body’s capability to hold an honest and credible election in May sans the constitutionally-required issuance of the Voter Verification Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).
“But what happens when the electoral process is so mired with questions and controversies? Can the government still guarantee that the sovereignty of the people is upheld? We request the implementation of the security features on the PCOS machines,” the message read further.
Early this month, the Supreme Court voted 14-0 in favor of the petition filed by senatorial candidate Richard Gordon mandating Comelec to activate the VVPAT features in the PCOS machine to ensure the credibility of elections.
However, citing time-constraints, the COMELEC vowed to appeal the SC decision.
But Anonymous said they are closely watching the COMELEC’s next move.
“Commission on Elections, We are watching! We are Anonymous, We are legion, We do not forgive, We do not forget. EXPECT US!” the warning continued.
In November last year, Anonymous also defaced dozens of government websites in an attempt to encourage people to join the Million Mask March.
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