PH military to look into China’s possible security threat to power grid

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday said it would look into the possible security threat of China’s co-ownership of the country’s lone power transmission line.

Lawmakers recently called for a review of the 40-percent stake of State Grid Corp. of China in the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), which won the bid in 2009 to run the power lines.

Concerns were raised on the possibility of China remotely shutting off the Philippines’ power grid in times of conflict, but the NGCP downplayed this as “baseless” and “purely speculative.”

There have also been reports that only Chinese engineers have been able to operate and control the NGCP’s transmission facilities because they were the only ones familiar with the technology installed for the control of the grid.

In a statement, the AFP said the matter was within the bounds of the NGCP and also with the National Power Corp.

“NGCP is privy to the contract, the provisions therein, and the necessary safeguards in place. Hence, they are in the best position to answer that at this time,” AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

But he also said they would remain involved on discussions with related agencies on the security concerns.

“That does not mean however that we will not be discussing the security aspect of the issue with concerned agencies. We will participate on matters relevant to our competency,” he said.

“We submit that Congress is well within its powers to conduct an inquiry if it so desires given its oversight and legislative functions,” he added.

/atm