No threat yet to PH related to anti-Islam film, says PNP

A burnt car is seen after an attack on the US Consulate by protesters angry over a film that ridiculed Islam’s Prophet Muhammad in Benghazi, Libya, Wednesday, September 12, 2012. A number of Libyan security guards were killed and wounded trying to defend US ambassador Chris Stevens, who was killed in the attack, along with three other Americans. AP/IBRAHIM ALAGURI

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police said Monday that it has not monitored any imminent threat in the country relative to “The Innocence of Muslims,” the anti-Muslim film that has sparked an explosion of violence in other Muslim countries.

Speaking to reporters, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said no particular threat to safety has been monitored by police units nationwide, but said that it has, nonetheless, beefed up security in residences of ambassadors, and in embassies around the country, particularly that of the United States along Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

A recent attack in Benghazi killed US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens.

“We see no imminent threat based on reports coming in from our units,” Cerbo said, adding that authorities are coordinating closely with the Muslim community in different parts of the country, so as to prevent similar violent protest staged in Sudan, Yemen and Lebanon, among others.

“Very critical ‘yun nga, pakikipag ugnayan natin . . . para walang mangyari na masama sa bansa natin, at sa puntong ito, bukas at maganda ang kaisapan ng ating mga kapatid na Muslim (It’s very critical and we’re coordinating to as to prevent any untoward incidents in our country. At this point, our Muslim brothers are open minded),” Cerbo said.

The controversial film allegedly ridicules Islam’s Prophet Mohammed.