February 28, 2016, 4:31p.m. – THE OFFICIAL website of the UST Hospital (USTH) was hacked earlier today, Feb. 28, following a viral Facebook post blaming a medical resident for the death of a baby.
The 19-member hacker group known as Global Security Hackers urged the hospital’s administration to investigate the issue involving Dr. Ana Liezel Sahagun.
In a Facebook post, a certain Andrew Pelayo accused Sahagun of refusing to admit his pregnant wife, and advising them instead to go to a government hospital where expenses were more affordable.
A number of doctors have also come to Sahagun’s defense, saying she simply gave the couple an option considering their limited resources. They also noted that Sahagun had made sure the woman’s condition was stable before the couple was advised to transfer to a government hispital.
Still, the hackers pinned the blame on Sahagun.
“Napakamali ng iyong ginawa Dra. Sahagun. Sumumpa ka sa iyong tungkulin para magligtas ng buhay, hindi unahin ang pera. Isa itong malaking paglabag sa iyong sinumpaang tungkulin at hindi namin ito hahayaan na mabali wala lang,” they said in a message that appeared on the UST Hospital’s website.
The hackers added: “Ito rin ay isang mensahe sa ating kinauukulan na magsagawa ng imbestigasyon sa pangyayaring ito. Kami ay taimtim na nakikiramay sa mga naulila. Ang tao kayang gumawa ng pera, ngunit ang pera hindi kayang makagawa ng panibagong buhay.”
The team said the move was supported by other local hackers namely: Anonymous Philippines, Philippine Hacking University, and Philippine Hacking Academy.
The USTH administration and the Office of Public Affairs have yet to release a statement on the hacking.
Dr. JM Lopez, who heads medical residents at USTH, said the issue was now being addressed by the hospital administration.
“It is under investigation. That’s all I can tell you,” he told the Varsitarian in a phone interview.
As of posting time, the USTH website has been restored. Jerome P. Villanueva
