Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. on Tuesday, March 24, ordered conservation measures across military camps nationwide as global oil prices surge amid tensions in the Middle East.

Brawner issued a directive to all military units to slash consumption of essential resources such as fuel, power, and water as the military braces for the impact of the crisis on fuel supply.

“We need to start conserving our gasoline, diesel, electricity, and water. We must make our reserves last. Because we do not know what is going to happen, we really need to be frugal,” he said.

Under the order, non‑essential activities have been shelved to free up supplies for combat units and critical operations.

“What we are doing is—for instance, we are reducing our travels at the headquarters. This is so we can pass on the fuel to our units in the field who need it more,” Brawner explained.

The AFP chief said the unpredictable nature of the geopolitical landscape necessitated immediate internal belt-tightening.

“Well, we cannot really predict the intention of [United States] President [Donald] Trump or the intention of Israel and Iran” Brawner said, referring to mounting worries over a possible wider conflict in the Middle East.

“But the best thing that we can do is to prepare for it. So right now, we are already feeling the increase in the prices of gasoline and diesel, as well as other commodities,” he added.

Despite the conservation measures, Brawner stressed that key missions will continue, particularly patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“Our operations in the West Philippine Sea, those will continue. Our patrols here across the Philippine archipelago and its airspace, we have to continue doing that,” he said.

Operations against lawless elements, communist terrorists, and other terrorist groups are also ongoing, he noted.

Global crude prices have climbed sharply in recent weeks due to the limited supply of oil amid the tensions.

President Marcos Jr. ordered the creation of a crisis committee to ensure stable fuel and food supplies.

Although no official oil crisis has been declared, Marcos said the crisis committee will be responsible for safeguarding supply chains, protecting consumers, and managing the economic impact resulting from increasing fuel costs.