MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported a decrease in the number of gas stations closed due to supply constraints, dropping to 365 from 425, even as cases of fuel hoarding and profiteering rose to seven.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said closures had fallen to 369 on Sunday before further declining to 365 by Monday morning.

“Ang mga pangunahing kadahilanan [ng pagsara] ay yung non-delivered petroleum products at ‘yung iba naman ay walang stocks. Mayroong mga nagsarado at may nagbukas na naman [dahil sa restock] (The primary reason for the closures is the non-delivery of petroleum products and some had no stocks. Some closed down but later reopened after restocking),” he said during a press briefing at Camp Crame.

The closures are linked to an oil supply crunch caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Tuaño added that seven hoarding and profiteering incidents were reported: three in Region 5 (Bicol), two in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), and one each in Region 3 (Central Luzon) and Region 11 (Davao Region).

The Department of Energy has requested the PNP’s assistance to prevent fuel hoarding and profiteering.