MANILA, Philippines ? The Philippine National Police has beefed up its security and intelligence operations as the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the United States nears, a spokesman said on Friday.

Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the PNP has remained on full alert status in Mindanao, while Luzon and Visayas were on heightened alert status.

Security is also tight around the US Embassy, in preparation for possible protest actions.

"The intelligence community is also monitoring the situation to look at indications of any plans, personalities of terroristic attacks in the country," Cruz said.

But the police official assured the public that there were no terror threats in Metro Manila.

"There is nothing to worry about. But the September 11 attacks were a reminder that we have to be prepared," Cruz added.

Thousands of people died close to 10 years ago when terrorist suspects staged a series of attacks by slamming commercial planes into key US landmarks, among them, the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Another plane was reportedly set to attack the White House in Washington but its passengers overcame the terrorist pilot to crash the plane onto a field in Pennsylvania.