AFP strengthening cyber defenses

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February 21, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured the pubic yesterday that it is continuously strengthening the military’s cyber defense capabilities, amid this year’s increasing threat of cyber attacks stemming from geopolitical tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Considering the evolving cyber threat landscape, the military said it is keeping a close watch and remains vigilant against what Cyber Command chief Brig. Gen. Joey Fontiveros earlier described as threats against the Philippines coming from China-based actors.

“We concur that the cybersecurity environment in 2026 has become more complex and dynamic. As digital transformation accelerates across government and critical sectors, so do the risks,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told The STAR.

“Geopolitical tensions, particularly those related to developments in the West Philippine Sea, inevitably spill over into the cyber domain,” Padilla, an internationally-recognized cyber-security expert, noted.

She is the first Filipina soldier to receive the Cyber Security Woman of the Year award in 2023, given by the United Cybersecurity Alliance, a group which seeks to “unite the global cybersecurity community and provide a platform for women in cybersecurity to learn, enhance their skills and gain hands-on experience.”

Padilla has repeatedly acknowledged how modern security threats evolve each day, particularly in the cyber domain which affects everyone.

“We continue to observe and address persistent cyber activities, including attempts at network intrusion, website defacement, misinformation operations and other malicious cyber incidents,” she explained.

“These are not unique to the Philippines; they are part of a broader global trend where state and non-state actors leverage cyberspace to pursue strategic interests,” Padilla said.

“Our Cyber Command is continuously strengthening defensive capabilities, enhancing threat intelligence sharing with partner agencies and working closely with both domestic and international stakeholders to protect critical information infrastructure,” she stressed.