PRESIDENT Gloria Arroyo yesterday ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to join forces in ensuring that power lines in Mindanao are protected and to prevent any more blackouts. “The President has directed the AFP to coordinate its efforts with the police, local government units and local government officials to see to it that we are able to secure our lines and power facilities,” Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes said. Energy Secretary Vicente Perez, meanwhile, said he met with the National Transmission Commission (Transco), the AFP and the PNP over the weekend and laid out a security plan to protect the power lines in Mindanao. “We abhor this deliberate attempt at destroying our transmission systems because it affects the lives of 18 million residents of Mindanao and disrupts business,” Perez said. Full Story