Philippines Mulls Retaking Control of China-Held Grid Operator Amid Security Concerns

Linemen install cables on the Transco power transmission line in Santa Rosa town south of Manila as the Chinese-led consortium officially took over a 25-year concession of the Philippines' national electricity grid as part of the government's privatization program on Jan. 15, 2009. Romeo Gacad/AFP via Getty Images

The Philippines said on May 16 that it would retake control of the country’s sole power grid operator, which is partly Chinese-owned, if security concerns over China’s stake in the company make it necessary.

Philippines Sen. Raffy Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, discussed with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recent power outages in the country and the situation at the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).