Manny Pacquiao: Terrorists 'plotted to kidnap' former world champion, claims Philippines president
Pacquiao is a national hero in the Philippines and perhaps its best-known native
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Your support makes all the difference.Benigno Aquino III, the president of the Philippines, has claimed that a terrorist group had plotted to kidnap and kill boxer Manny Pacquiao.
Abu Sayyaf, a militant group based in the south-western islands of the country, are accused of beheading Canadian hostage John Ridsdel on Monday in the province of Sulu.
Aquino, speaking after the news of Ridsdel’s execution, disclosed details of the plot against Pacquiao while specifying his governments’ attempts to curb the rebel group’s activity.
Abu Sayyaf militants had “behaved as criminals”, Aquino said, and “focused on enriching themselves by taking hostages for ransom.”
“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,” he said.
Kris Aquino, his younger sister, is a famous talk show host and actress.
Pacquiao, who has five children, is a national hero in the Philippines and perhaps its most renowned native.
The 37-year-old boxer, who retired from the sport earlier this month, is also a congressman in the country’s government and is currently running for senate, with elections due to be held on 9 May.
Aquino, whose six-year term as president ends in June, ensured that Abu Sayyaf would be “at the very least ... a very seriously degraded problem” for his successor.
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