There will be ‘quarrel’ if China cuts PH power lines — Duterte

PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte said he won’t sit back if China attempts to shut down the country’s power supply.

This, after some lawmakers expressed concern on the reports that China may have the capability to control and remotely shut down the Philippines’ power transmission system since the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) holds 40 percent stake in the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), a private consortium that operates the country’s power lines since 2009.

“You know China, if you do that then there will be a quarrel. I may not overcome you but you will receive from me a mouthful then I will go to other places and look for help,” Duterte said in an interview with CNN Philippines on Friday, November 29.

The President, however, believes that there is no reason for China to do such thing because it won’t do any good in its investment in the NGCP.

“It’s a business. Why would China cut it? Tanungin ko, ’China, bakit mo puputulin? Ayaw mo ng negosyo ( Why would you cut it? Don’t you want a business)?’” he said.

Duterte said China was just trying to help the Philippines in a form of business and that it wanted to have allies since many countries are allies with America.

“They (China) are trying to help everybody na makinig sa kanila (who will listen to them),” the Chief Executive explained.

“Ang atin kulang tayo ( We are lacking). America is not available for all our needs. So sabi ng China, ’Oh eto, tulungan ko kayo. Ito negosyo ‘to. Gusto niyo ng pera? Oh ayan negosyo tayo.’ Tanungin ko sila, ‘May panahon bang putulin mo?’ Sasagot ang China, ‘Bakit namin puputulin? Pera ‘ yan (So China said, ‘Here, I will help you. This is a business. Do you want money? Then let’s do business.’ I will ask them, ‘ Will there come a time for you to cut it?’ China will answer, ‘ Why would we cut it? That’s money’),’” he added.

China earlier dismissed claims over allegations that it could control the Philippines’ power infrastructure, saying it was “completely groundless.”

“The Philippines is China’s close and friendly neighbor as well as an important partner. We support Chinese businesses’ pursuit of practical, win-win cooperation in the Philippines in accordance with laws and regulations,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

The NCGP has also said that there is nothing to worry about the SGCC’S stake in the NGCP because the former serves only as the “technical adviser” of the latter.

“The management and the control of NGCP, including its Systems Operation, are exclusively exercised by Filipinos,” the NGCP previously clarified. ■