Actress Bela Padilla graces the cover of FHM Philippines' March 2012 issue.

MANILA, Philippines - FHM Philippines issued an apologetic statement on Monday after it received flak for posting a magazine cover which was branded by many as racist.

The editorial team of the men's magazine has also decided not to use the photo on the cover of FHM Philippines' March 2012 issue as they "take the side of sensitivity."

"When FHM hits the stands in March it will have a different cover. We deem this to be the most prudent move in the light of the confusion over the previous cover execution. We apologize and thank those who have raised their points," FHM Philippines said in the statement, which was released on the magazine's website.

Bela Padilla, niece of action star Robin Padilla, was wearing a bright red swimsuit in FHM Philippines' March 2012 cover, which had the caption: "Bela Padilla stepping out of the shadows."

The fair-skinned actress was surrounded by five dark-skinned models.

Hours after FHM Philippines posted a photo of the cover on Facebook, netizens bombarded it with hundreds of negative comments.

A Filipino Internet user has also launched an online petition asking the men's magazine to apologize and recall the March 2012 cover.

FHM Philippines said these reactions have prompted the editorial team to "re-examine the cover so that we could put into context its execution and assuage the concerns of our readers and non-readers as well who've weighed in on the issue."

Meanwhile, the men's magazine apologized to Padilla "for any distress this may have caused her."

"In our pursuit to come up with edgier covers, we will strive to be more sensitive next time," FHM Philippines said.