News Roundup 08 October 2023
Oct 08, 2023 • 4 min Read
Leaked Philhealth data ‘staggering,’ says NPC | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — A “staggering” amount of files equivalent to more than 730 gigabytes (GB) of data had been leaked from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), the National Privacy Commission (NPC) said on Saturday.
The NPC added that it had launched an investigation seeking those liable for the breach of private information of potentially hundreds of thousands of the state insurer’s beneficiaries.
The NPC said it had completed an initial analysis of 650 GB of compressed files from the data dump claimed by Medusa, a clandestine group that admitted hacking into PhilHealth computers and held the information it stole for a $300,000 (about P17 million) ransom.
“Upon extraction, these files revealed a staggering 734 GB worth of data, including personal and sensitive personal information,” the NPC said in a statement.
Full Story at: Leaked Philhealth data ‘staggering,’ says NPC | Inquirer News
Israel’s Netanyahu vows ‘mighty vengeance’ against Hamas | INQUIRER.NET – JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed “mighty vengeance” against Hamas after the Palestinian militant movement launched a surprise attack on Saturday, killing more than 150 Israelis and taking numerous captives.
In a brief video address, he said Hamas would be held responsible for the well-being of the captives and said Israel would settle the score with anyone who harmed them.
World leaders were urged on Saturday to show solidarity and unity in supporting Israel and condemning the “terrorist attack” by the Palestinian Islamist group.
Full Story at: Israel’s Netanyahu vows ‘mighty vengeance’ against Hamas | Inquirer News
Philippines condemns deadly attacks in Israel | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines condemned Sunday the multipronged surprise attacks in Israel that have killed hundreds, including civilians.
In a statement, the Office of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed its deepest sympathies and condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the fighting between the Israeli military and the Palestinian group Hamas.
“The Philippines condemns the attacks, especially against civilian populations,” the Office of the President said.
More than 200 Israelis died in a wave of Palestinian attacks by land, sea and air. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to reduce Hamas’ hideouts in Gaza to “rubble”, with intense Israeli air strikes on the coastal enclave killing at least 232 Palestinians.
The Office of the President added that “the Philippines understands the right of states to self-defense in the light of external aggression as recognized in the United Nations Charter.”
In a briefing Sunday, Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss said that Israel expects the international community, including the Philippines, to support the country’s rights to respond and protect itself.
“In this moment of anguish, we call on our friends and allies to express strong support for Israel and to condemn these terror attacks by Hamas,” Fluss said.
Full Story at: Philippines condemns deadly attacks in Israel | Philstar.com
PCG spots China PLA assets during Ayungin resupply | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The latest resupply mission for troops on the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal saw “for the first time” the participation of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the attempt by the Chinese to block the operation, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said yesterday.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tarriela said a PLA-Navy ship with bow number 630 approached BRP Sindangan within a distance of only 0.5 nautical miles in a maneuver apparently meant to keep the Philippine vessel from getting close to the Sierra Madre.
Philippine resupply vessels were able to evade the Chinese eventually to unload their cargo on the Sierra Madre.
In his post, the PCG spokesman also said “PLA aircraft Y8Q conducted surveillance in Sabina (Escoda) Shoal and left when the resupply contingent arrived near Ayungin Shoal.”
Tarriela also reported CCG and the Chinese maritime militia vessels “carried out eight dangerous maneuvers.”
He also said CCG ship 21556 “came as close as one meter to the (PCG) vessel BRP Sindangan.” According to photos and videos shared by Tarriela on X, the CCG vessel got dangerously close to the PCG vessel where journalists were on board taking videos.
In a PTV report, special envoy to China Teodoro Locsin Jr. was on board the BRP Cabra taking video of the incident. It was the first time a Filipino diplomat joined the resupply mission.
Full Story at: PCG spots China PLA assets during Ayungin resupply | Philstar.com
