Marcos Addresses Middle East Conflict Impacts on Philippines

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines addressed the escalating impacts of the Middle East conflict on his country during a meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council on April 8 in Manila, emphasizing coordinated efforts to support returning overseas Filipino workers and secure energy supplies amid a national emergency.

The conflict, involving military actions between the United States and Iran that began in February, has disrupted global oil flows and prompted the repatriation of thousands of Filipinos from the Gulf region. On March 6, Marcos declared a national energy emergency, citing the Philippines' heavy reliance on imported fuel and stating that the country was a victim of a war it did not choose. Fuel reserves were estimated at around 50 days, leading to the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 114, which directed government-wide conservation measures. Officials have sought U.S. sanctions waivers to import oil from sources like Russia and secured preferential access for Philippine-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

In response to the crisis, the government has conducted multiple evacuation operations since March 5, successfully repatriating...