'CLICKBAIT': Robles dismisses PCSO breach report

Beware of fake news for views.

This was the warning issued by Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Melquiades Robles on Friday, following the circulation of false reports on social media claiming that the agency’s database had been hacked by an obscure group of hackers.

In a statement, Robles categorically denied the allegation, emphasizing that there has been no breach in any official PCSO sites or databases.

“This is fake news. There was no breach nor any successful attempt to hack the systems of PCSO. We have not reported anything to DICT because nothing had happened,” he said.

Relax, today is Valentine’s Day and don’t let it be ruined by some groups who were out to besmirch or cast doubt on the integrity of our games. It’s too early for April Fool’s Day and let us not easily fall for it,” he added.

Robles assured the public that while there have been numerous hacking attempts in the past from around the world, PCSO’s digital defenses remain secure and impregnable.

The PCSO chief was refuting an online report that claimed PCSO and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) were investigating a breach of lotto winners’ data.

Robles pointed out that the report originated from an alleged group of hackers attempting to gain notoriety by falsely claiming they had infiltrated the PCSO system.

However, he clarified that none of the agency’s accounts were attacked or compromised.

He explained that the group only accessed email accounts — most likely belonging to PCSO branch personnel from Cagayan, based on the screenshots attached to their post.

Robles also stressed that the leaked list contained the names of individuals who participated in a PCSO promo in March 2022, not names of jackpot or consolation prize winners.

He assured the public that PCSO’s jackpot winners' database is stored securely at the head office, adding that branch offices are not connected to the main system.