Manila: A group of Filipino 'hackivists' defaced websites of up to 200 Chinese government and commercial entities as the maritime dispute between the Asian neighbours heightened over disputed islands, Manila news sites reported on Tuesday.
Members of the hackers group Anonymous Philippines late on Monday claimed responsibility for crippling attack on a huge number of Chinese government and commercial Web sites to protest Beijing’s actions in South China Sea, which the group called the "West Philippine Sea".
Many of the crippled websites remained down on Tuesday, with some sites initially displaying "Kismet is back" pop-up message before the defaced site appears.
The main page of the defaced main page showed the group's icon with the slogan: "Say NO to China's Bullying!"
The subtext of the defaced sites states: “China’s alleged claim on maritime territories and oppressive poaching can no longer be tolerated.”
Filipino maritime police arrested Chinese boatmen near a disputed reef off Palawan and charged with poaching endangered sea turtles earlier this month.
Ships belonging to China and the Philippines recently faced off near a Philippine outpost near the disputed shoal.
On Monday, Philippine President Benigno Aquino accused China of violating the "Declaration of Conduct" it signed in 2002, after it allegedly began reclaiming land on a disputed reef in the South China.
In 2012, a similar campaign by Filipino hackers led to a retaliatory attacks from a group of Chinese hackers.
Anonymous gained notoriety for hitting Philippine government websites to protest Cybercrime Law.
The group listed the defaced Chinese sites on its Facebook page.
