Asia News Wrap: Philippines declares national emergency, and more
Here are a few stories from around Asia you may have missed this week.
Philippines declares national energy emergency
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday declared a state of national energy emergency in response to the Middle East conflict and what he called an "imminent danger" to the country's energy supply. Marcos said a committee has been formed to ensure the orderly movement, supply, distribution and availability of fuel, food, medicines, agricultural products and other essential goods.
In an executive order shared with the media, Marcos stated the conflict has caused uncertainty in global energy markets, severe supply chain disruptions, and significant volatility and upward pressure on international oil prices, "thereby posing a threat to the country's energy security." The declaration, which will remain in effect for one year, authorizes the government to procure fuel and petroleum products to guarantee a timely and adequate supply.
Protests over Japanese PM's push to revise constitution
Thousands of people gathered in Tokyo around the National Diet building on Wednesday to protest Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's efforts to amend Article 9 of the country's pacifist constitution and increase military spending, a move protesters called dangerous.
The Japanese government has continued to push for higher defense budgets and the deployment of long-range missiles in areas such as Kyushu. The protesters also voiced concern about the actions of the Japanese government. Rallying outside the Second Members' Office Building of the House of Representatives, protesters held signs reading "No War" and "Oppose Constitutional Revision," calling for the defense of the pacifist constitution and the preservation of peace.
Heat wave alert in parts of Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur has been classified as Level 1 by the Malaysian Meteorological Department for areas affected by an ongoing heat wave. In 2026, Malaysia has reported a total of 15 heat-related cases, including one death, according to the Health Ministry. The ministry stated that between January 1 and March 24, there were 11 cases of heat exhaustion, three cases of heat stroke and one case of heat cramps.
"All cases have recovered except for one heat stroke case involving a child who was trapped in a vehicle without the parents' knowledge and died from heat stroke," the ministry said on Wednesday. It warned that hot weather can pose serious health risks, with heat-related illnesses ranging from mild conditions to severe, potentially fatal cases.
Forest fires sweep across Indonesia
Forest fires have recently swept across Indonesia's Riau Islands, threatening vital infrastructure and creating haze that has disrupted air travel.
Fires have spread through a forest near the Batu Besar electricity substation in the provincial capital Batam, which supplies power to thousands of homes in the city. The fire near the Batu Besar substation has also reduced visibility at Hang Nadim International Airport, only 5 km away. Data from the local Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency showed that visibility briefly dropped to 4 km on Saturday, below the normal range of 7 to 10 km.
(Cover: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attends a press conference at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, March 25, 2026. /CFP)
