Conflict between and among nations is no longer confined in the battlefields but also in cyberspace, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said as it includes in its defense strategy plan measures to strengthen against cyberattacks against disinformation campaigns using the internet, particularly the social media.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr. said the security landscape has indeed evolved in the past years as the attack against any country’s sovereignty is now also being done in cyberspace through misinformation and disinformation campaigns that are aimed at controlling public perception.
“While traditional territorial defense remains vital, we are now dealing with adversaries that operate in domains far removed from physical confrontation,” said Brawner during the ADR Stratbase Pilipinas Conference 2024.
“The rise of cyberattacks, information warfare, and disinformation campaigns are stark reminders that conflict has entered a new frontier in this digital age. These malign influence operations pose a significant threat not only to national security but also to the very fabric of our society,” he added.
Brawner said the AFP is now strengthening its digital information capability through investments on digital technology but also on its IT experts.
President Marcos has been pushing for the digitalization of government services but stressed the need to intensify the protection against cybercriminals and other cyber adversaries.
While efforts are ongoing to expand the internet reach to as many Filipinos, various groups earlier raised the alarm over the proposal to ease the restrictions for new telco players through the Senate Bill 2699, or the Konektadong Pinoy Act.
Advocacy network CitizenWatch Philippines said that if the bill is passed, it will eliminate the need for a congressional franchise for telecommunication companies, which "diminishes" the regulatory powers of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) into mere oversight.
According to cyber intelligence company CYFIRMA, the Philippines is a prime target for cyber espionage activities due to a lack of cybersecurity awareness and underdeveloped cybersecurity infrastructure, especially with the rising tension in the region.
On the other hand, Brawner said threats from cyberspace is indeed a serious challenge as cyber adversaries are difficult to detect.
“Cyber warfare is the modern battleground, and information is its weapon. It is designed to disorient the public, create confusion, and disrupt decision-making processes for both individuals and government. We have seen the impact of these operations in various parts of the world,” said Brawner.
“The digital threat landscape is not limited to cyberattacks on infrastructure. Just as critical is the fight against disinformation and malign influence operations aimed at shaping public opinion, disrupting social cohesion, and eroding trust in democratic institutions,” he added.