Lim bans anti-Islam movie in Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has ordered that the anti-Islam short movie “Innocence of Muslims” not be shown in public in the city even if the film has not yet been banned by censors in the Philippines.

According to a post on his Facebook page, Lim met Muslim community leaders on Wednesday, September 19, to assure them he will crack down on any establishment that shows the film, that has sparked protests around the world.

Some of the Muslim leaders present at the meeting were Islamic Center barangay chairman Faiz Macabato, Committee on Peace and Order and Appropriations chairman Acosta Punut, Filipino Alliance for Integrity and Reform national chairman Datu Alexander Mama-O and Sultan Imam Saminodin Manshawie.

Radio DZBB reported on Thursday that Lim said because of the security risks, those who want the film shown in Manila cannot cite freedom of speech in fighting the ban.

Movie houses and shopping malls found showing the film will be closed down, he added.

Symbols of US influence in cities across the Muslim world have been targeted since last week as protesters vented their fury at the low-budget American-made YouTube film “Innocence of Muslims.”

The Philippine National Police has tightened security around the US Embassy in Manila, while the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the country’s largest rebel group, said on Sunday it had instructed its 12,000 members to observe a ceasefire pact with the government and not attack US targets.

However, the next day, about 3,000 Filipino Muslims burned US and Israeli flags in the southern city of Marawi.

President Benigno Aquino III later told reporters that he does not have the power to ban the movie, which is up to the censors. – Rappler.com