I Didn't Do It Either

May 15, 2000 3:00 PM UTC
Now Michael Buen surfaces - and denies all involvement in the spread of the ILOVEYOU worm.

In a statement read for the press, Buen said:

'In an effort to restore some semblance of normalcy to my life and that of my family, I should like to categorically state for the record that I have no involvement or participation whatsoever in the design, development, creation or dissemination of the 'ILOVEYOU' virus. These allegations and insinuations have caused me and my family great distress.'

Buen pointed out that his graduation thesis 'Augmented C/C++ and Pascal' - enhancements to the Borland Turbo Pascal and Microsoft Quick C development environments as well as a primitive source code control system - has nothing to do with the worm or trojan and was accepted by 'AMACConda':

'My thesis is a program entirely distinct and different from the 'ILOVEYOU' virus, and more importantly, was accepted by AMA Computer College as a legitimate program, not contrary to law.'

He also denied having ever gone into hiding, claimed he had already spoken with the NBI, and was now coming forward 'to vindicate my good name and reputation'.

Philippines officials reportedly claimed Buen's thesis could have been used with Onel's to create the worm, something radsoft.net know to be categorically untrue.

http://www.hotmanila.ph/columns/michaelmeet.html
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN/2000-05/MN051503.asp
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-1877163.html
http://www.inquirer.net/infotech/may2000wk3/onel_thesis.htm
http://www.zdnetasia.com/stories/0,10000002,10070850,00.html