Terrorist group plotted to kidnap boxer Manny Pacquiao, President Aquino says
Filipino president Benigno Aquino III said Abu Sayyaf, a militant Muslim group based in the Philippines, planned to assassinate him and was plotting to kidnap boxer Manny Pacquiao, according to a report from The Associated Press.
Pacquiao, who announced his retirement as a boxer following an April 9 victory over Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, is a congressman representing Sarangani province and the most popular figure in the island nation. He is in the midst of a campaign for a seat in the Filipino senate.
Aquino said the government scuttled Abu Sayyaf's plans to detonate bombs in Manila.
They allegedly even hatched plots to kidnap Manny Pacquiao or one of his children, as well as my sister Kris or one of her children, with the plan to use them in bargaining for the release of their cohorts. Threats against my own life have been investigated.
Aquino gave no further details about Pacquiao.
