Five college teams from Iligan Medical Center College (IMCC), St. Peter College ,and Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) went head-to-head in a series of cybersecurity challenges during the HackQuest Iligan 2025: Capture the Flag competition.
The Capture the Flag (CTF) challenge is a cybersecurity game designed to test participants’ skills in ethical hacking, system analysis, and digital defense. Each challenge simulates real-world scenarios that require critical thinking, technical expertise, and teamwork.
According to Clark James Semblante, Endpoint Security Engineer at the Cybersecurity Division of the Information and Communication Technology Center (ICTC), the event aimed to strengthen the cybersecurity capabilities of both students and institutions. It focused on developing essential skills such as ethical hacking, problem-solving, and computer security.
Team Major Exploits from MSU-IIT emerged as the champion, taking home a cash prize of ₱5,000. They were followed by Team Pwdesal from IMCC, who won ₱4,000, and Team TBA, also from IMCC, who secured third place with ₱3,000.
HackQuest Iligan 2025 was held in celebration of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, organized by ICTC in partnership with the Center for Digital Iligan Innovation and Sustainability.