Manila  - The Philippines on Wednesday joined the Islamic community in denouncing a short film made by a Dutch anti-immigration politician that suggests the Koran promotes violence and acts of terrorism.

The Foreign Affairs Department said the Philippines "condemns all acts aimed at undermining or inciting hatred towards a particular ethnic group, religion or creed."

It said the 16-minute film, entitled Fitna, was defamatory and heightened misperceptions about "a religion of peace" when it associated Islam with acts of violence.

"The exercise of the right to freedom of expression should always be done with the attendant responsibility," the statement added. "Nobody should, in his or her exercise of this right, slander, libel or defame any particular religion or creed."

The Philippines, however, called for sobriety in light of the widespread adverse reactions to the film, stressing, "Acts of violence in the context of this issue are unjustified."

Fitna, which means "discord" in Arabic, was released last month by lawmaker Geert Wilders, the head of the Netherland's anti-immigration party.

It shows various verses of the Koran followed by a montage of photos and video ranging from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States to photos of the Shiite ritual of self-flagellation.

The Philippines is a majority Roman Catholic country, but it has a Muslim minority in its southern region of Mindanao. (dpa)