MANILA — The Philippines is beefing up security protocols to protect its energy sector from foreign interference, its national security adviser said, following concerns raised by some of the country’s politicians about China’s access to the country’s power grid. China’s State Grid Corporation owns a 40% share in a consortium called the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, which in 2008 won a 25-year-franchise. “Allegations that the National Grid can easily be controlled by foreign entities are being taken seriously by the government,” National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said in a Feb. 2 statement on Monday. Esperon’s statement, which did not name any foreign entity in particular, comes as the Philippine senate started an investigation into China’s access to country’s power grid. “The administration is taking steps and precautionary measures to guarantee that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, its facilities and infrastructure are protected with the highest security procedures,” Esperon said.

Source: National Post February 03, 2020 12:11 UTC