ISTANBUL

Hundreds of fuel stations have shut down in the Philippines amid a national emergency declared to address an energy shortage triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The Philippine National Police said 365 gasoline stations have closed due to supply constraints. Authorities also reported seven cases of fuel hoarding and profiteering, according to the Philippines News Agency.

Manila declared a national emergency as oil supplies from the Middle East declined, with Iran effectively controlling the Strait of Hormuz while the US-Israel conflict with Tehran entered its second month.

To mitigate the shortfall, the Philippines has purchased 2.48 million barrels of Russian crude oil. The country imports around 90% of its energy products, spending approximately $16 billion on oil in 2024, mostly from the Middle East.

Amid the energy crisis, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Manila is “open to restarting” talks with China on a joint oil and gas project in the disputed South China Sea.

“That’s something we’ve been talking about for a great deal, but territorial disputes are getting in the way of that,” Marcos told Bloomberg News.

Relations between Manila and Beijing have been strained over overlapping claims in the contested waters.