The Philippines has reported attempts by foreign actors to infiltrate government intelligence systems, though no breaches have occurred, according to Cyber Minister Ivan Uy.

Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), often linked to state-backed groups, have persistently targeted the nation but failed to compromise its cybersecurity defences.

Uy highlighted that some threats, described as 'sleepers', had been embedded in systems before being uncovered through government cybersecurity measures. He expressed concerns about such threats operating undetected for extended periods.

Efforts to trace the origins of these attacks are challenging, as hackers often leave misleading evidence. Diplomatic cooperation and intelligence sharing with the military and international allies have become key tools in countering these threats.

Last year, the government successfully thwarted cyberattacks allegedly originating in China, including attempts to breach systems related to maritime security. Uy noted that global cyber conflicts resemble a 'non-kinetic World War III', with nations and organisations exploiting digital vulnerabilities for strategic or financial gain.

In addition to cyberattacks, the Philippines is grappling with rising misinformation, deepfakes, and 'fake news media outlets' ahead of its mid-term elections in May.

The ministry has deployed tools to counter these risks, emphasising their potential to harm democracies reliant on informed public opinion during elections.