Barbers raises concerns over alleged Chinese control in NGCP
MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker expressed alarm over the potential foreign threat or Chinese control within the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), pointing out the implications of foreign nationals’ possible hand in the decision-making process in the corporation.
In a recent House hearing, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers questioned an NGCP representative about this, considering NGCP’s critical role in the country’s energy security.
READ: Remove Chinese control of our country’s electric power grid
“Is it true that if, for example, we have a conflict with our neighbor country China, with just one press of a button, will they be able to cut off our power? That needs to be answered. The Filipino people must be informed.,” Barbers asked partly in Filipino.
Answering this, NGCP representative Atty. Lally Mallari said the corporation’s control center is “physically secured” from intruders.
“Mr. Chair, I was behind the person you are talking to, Mr. Clark Agustin. The scenario given to him is that the terrorist is already in the room. But before terrorists could even reach there, our control center is physically secured,” Mallari replied in a mix of Filipino and English.
Article continues after this advertisement“And as for the people who turn the equipment on and off, there are switching procedures that include validation between control and the substation. So, in a hypothetical scenario, it seems like it could be done. But in real life, Mr. Chair, it’s unlikely,” she added.
Article continues after this advertisementCiting information from a fellow lawmaker, Barbers raised concerns about a “working group” led by Chinese nationals identified as Yuan Minjun and Chen Changwei.
“Earlier, Congressman Suarez raised this issue. When he brought up the involvement of Chinese nationals in the decision-making of the NGCP, it didn’t just raise eyebrows, so to speak, but also highlighted, in my opinion, a national security vulnerability,” Barbers said.
But Mallari said she was not aware of the so-called working group, and the decisions within the corporation are made within its departments.
In line with this, Barbers asked NCGP representatives for documents to back their claims while also reiterating the need for the corporation “to address its governance and operational transparency.”