Manny Pacquiao Allegedly Was Kidnapping Target of Terrorist Organization

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said Wednesday he and boxing star Manny Pacquiao were possible targets of Muslim terrorist group Abu Sayyaf as part of an ongoing series of attacks.

"They allegedly even hatched plots to kidnap [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," Aquino said, per Jim Gomez of the Associated Press.     

Abu Sayyaf is one of the largest terror groups in the Philippines. It rose to power during the 1990s but has been "weakened" by the Philippine government, per Gomez. Aquino said he plans "to devote all [his] energies" to taking down extremists before he leaves office in June.

Abu Sayyaf had planned to carry out multiple attacks, funded by ISIS, before Philippine intelligence thwarted its plans. The group is, however, believed to have beheaded Canadian hostage John Ridsdel on Monday.

Pacquiao, 37, retired from boxing this month after earning a unanimous-decision win over Timothy Bradley on April 9. An active politician in the Philippines since 2007, Pacquiao is currently running for Senate. A large part of his decision to walk away from boxing was so he could concentrate on his political career.

Pacquiao has not released a statement on the alleged kidnapping plan at this time.

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