More than 19.2 million account credentials in the Philippines were compromised in the first half of 2026 as cybercriminals expanded their use of phishing, ransomware, software exploits and artificial intelligence, according to a report from Viettel Cyber Security (VCS).
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has thrown its support behind expanded voluntary website blocking by Globe Telecom, PLDT-Smart, and Converge ICT Solutions, even as questions remain over the legal basis and safeguards governing restrictions on violent content that has not necessarily been declared illegal.
Converge ICT Solutions Inc. said it blocked nearly 12 billion attempts to access websites carrying dangerous, inappropriate, and harmful content in 2025 as the broadband provider stepped up measures aimed at protecting children and other users online.
Cybersecurity professional Albert “Abet” Dela Cruz has proposed a national digital safety framework requiring platforms to restrict features for minors by default, device makers to incorporate safety controls during activation, and the government to expand digital literacy programs for parents.
Metrobank has rolled out new anti-fraud controls on its mobile banking app, including a 24-hour transaction freeze after critical account changes, a feature that lets customers lock funds, and geolocation-based security checks.
A lawmaker has called on the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to explain how it plans to handle 30,000 cybercrime cases in 2027 despite its staffing vacancies and a proposed reduction in funding for its core program.
Data from Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team showed that its systems detected more than 3.4 million backdoor attacks and 2.4 million password-stealer incidents across the region during the six-month period. Around 250,000 ransomware attacks were also blocked.
The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill creating a National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA) and imposing cybersecurity requirements on government institutions and operators of critical information infrastructure.
Mobile cyberattacks against consumers in the Philippines increased by 28% year on year as people across the Asia-Pacific region increasingly relied on smartphones for banking, shopping, payments, and communication, according to cybersecurity firm Kaspersky.
Nine in 10 Philippine organizations surveyed by cybersecurity company Fortinet suffered at least one security breach over the past 12 months, with more than half reporting losses exceeding $1 million.
