The Philippines won the Cyber SEA Game 2026 in Thailand, with four Filipino cybersecurity competitors beating teams from eight other ASEAN member states in exercises that tested their ability to solve technical problems and work under pressure.
The two-day Capture-the-Flag (CTF) competition drew 36 participants from nine national teams on Oct. 26-27 at the Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park. Singapore finished as first runner-up, while Malaysia placed second runner-up.
Representing the Philippines were Justin Clark H. Ong, Jiandale Ambal, Audre D. Montero, and Glenn Gabriel C. Castillejo. Their performances in the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) annual HackForGov competition helped identify them for the regional event.
CTF competitions use cybersecurity challenges to test participants’ technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. Instead of relying only on classroom lessons, contestants must apply what they know to complete exercises in a controlled setting.
HackForGov gives students opportunities to identify security weaknesses and practice solving cybersecurity problems. It also helps the DICT find promising participants and encourage them to build skills for careers protecting the country’s digital infrastructure.
The program is run by the DICT through its National Computer Emergency Response Team (NCERT/CERT-PH) under the Cybersecurity Bureau.
The Philippine team’s route from HackForGov to the regional championship shows the role of local competitions in preparing students for more demanding technical challenges. These events give participants a place to test their abilities and gain experience beyond academic work.
The ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC) organized the Cyber SEA Game with support from the Government of Japan. The annual event covers several cybersecurity disciplines and requires analytical thinking, adaptability, and teamwork.
Beyond the rankings, the competition promotes cybersecurity training and cooperation among emerging talents across the region. For the Philippines, HackForGov connects student training with opportunities to represent the country and further develop practical cybersecurity skills internationally.