Manila - The Philippines expressed alarm on Thursday over the hacking of several government websites during the past two weeks as the country prepares for its first automated elections in May.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Gary Olivar said various government agencies were already taking steps to ensure that their websites are properly secured.
"We are alarmed," he said. "The affected agencies are taking the necessary measures to fix whatever needs to be fixed."
Earlier in the day, the Department of Labour and Employment said its website was defaced, the fourth agency to be attacked since December 30.
Other government agencies whose websites were hacked were the Department of Health, the National Disaster Coordinating Council and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Olivar said the Commission on Elections was already taking the necessary precautions to ensure that its system would not fall victim to hackers.
The commission is currently in the thick of preparations for the first computerised national elections in May, when more than 18 000 national and local posts are up for grabs. - Sapa-dpa