95% of power in Marawi restored

Ninety-five percent of electricity services in the troubled Marawi City, Lanao del Sur has been restored, Malacañang said Saturday.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella assured that the government had been able to secure Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (Lasureco) and restore power in the province.

"The government, through its Inter-agency Task Force on Securing Energy Facilities (IATFSEF), has secured Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative compound," Abella said in a statement.

"And the National Electrification Administration and Lasureco have reported that 95 percent of electricity service has been restored in Marawi," he added.

The presidential spokesman made the statement amid fears that Lasureco has been targeted by terrorists.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi earlier ordered the IATFSEF to "secure every energy facility in Mindanao".

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said that with the help of IATFSEF, Mindanao grid is now under normal operation.

Abella said the public should refrain from spreading false reports about the terrorists' attack on Lasureco.

"This development should allay fears stirred by alarmist and untrue reports of Lasureco coming under attack," Abella said.

"Given the gravity of the situation in Marawi City, we urge the public to remain calm and not to spread unverified or incomplete news items, even as we urge media practitioners not to report such items that can easily be misinterpreted or sensationalized."