MANILA — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) successfully averted a malicious cyber incident targeting its Seafarer’s Identity Document (SID) and Seafarer’s Record Book (SRB) processing and issuance systems last August 13, 2026. Detected at the earliest stage, the attempted attack was contained, though it caused temporary service disruptions and a growing backlog affecting thousands of seafarers nationwide.
The incident resulted in processing delays, with approximately 3,000 daily applications stalled and over 30,000 seafarers potentially affected by the accumulated backlog. MARINA acted swiftly: its Management Information Systems Service immediately coordinated with the Department of Information and Communications Technology – National Computer Emergency Response Team (DICT-NCERT), the system provider, and internal technical teams to contain the breach and restore services.
Key actions included:
– Isolating affected systems to stop further compromise
– Conducting full forensic investigation and log analysis
– Rebuilding and securing affected servers
– Preparing controlled, phased resumption of operations
During an official briefing on August 31, 2026, at MARINA Central Office in Manila, the agency’s leadership provided updates: MARINA Administrator Sonia B. Malaluan; Director Jose Louie Banoa of the Manpower Development Service Office; and Dr. Joseph Victor Generator, Manager of the Information System Services.
To address the crisis, MARINA has deployed an interim application system covering the full SID/SRB production workflow. Expedited applications are now being processed and issued on-site, while regular applications are handled via batch printing, with releases expected within approximately one week after processing. For now, the interim system is available only at the MARINA Central Office in Manila.
The administration issued a public advisory urging all seafarers not to transact with fixers or unauthorized agents. MARINA also called on media practitioners to help disseminate accurate information and updates to the public and the maritime community.
“We remain committed to securing our systems and serving our seafarers with integrity. We ask for your patience and cooperation as we work to clear the backlog and fully restore services,” Administrator Malaluan stated.
