The Middle East conflict is already hitting oil-dependent countries like the Philippines hard. With fuel prices breaching the PHP 100 per liter mark, the strain is starting to show as hundreds of fuel stations have temporarily shut down operations, based on the latest monitoring by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

According to PNP, a total of 403 fuel retail stations have temporarily ceased operations as a direct impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict.

“Yung pagsasara nagsimula siya sa 273 noong Miyerkules, at umabot na nga siya sa 403,” said PNP Spokesperson, Police BGen. Randulf Tuaño.

(The closures started at 273 on Wednesday, and have already reached 403.)

For its part, the PNP said that it has already submitted its report to the Department of Energy (DOE) for verification, including checks on whether fuel stations that temporarily shut down are involved in any fuel-related illegal activities.

“Kaya binigay natin 'to para sila [DOE] ang mag-determine kung ang naturang pagsasara ng 403 ay may kaugnayan sa possible hoarding ng nasabing mga gas stations,” added Tuaño.

(That’s why we turned this over to the Department of Energy so they can determine whether the closure of the 403 stations is linked to possible hoarding by these gas stations.)

The PNP also said it is now investigating reports of alleged illegal fuel sales, hoarding, and profiteering in Nueva Vizcaya, Eastern Samar, and Albay, with arrests already made during operations in these areas.

The PNP added that based on initial information relayed to them, the country’s petroleum supply is expected to last until April 15, 2026, or roughly three weeks from now.

Since yesterday, the Malacanang Palace has stated that there's currently no oil crisis, with President Ferdinand "Bong Bong" Marcos Jr. even stating that everything is normal. But with hundreds of fuel stations temporarily closing shop, it paints a contradictory statement with what's happening at ground level.