Future Hall of Fame boxer Manny Pacquiao was the target of a planned kidnapping, claims president Benigno Aquino III of the Philippines. The Abu Sayyaf Islamic terror group re-lapsed almost immediately after signing a 2014 peace pact with Aquino, with it's leader, Isnilon Totoni Hapilon, having forged an alliance with ISIL. While since it's creation in 1991 the militant group has claimed to fight for an Independent Islamic province, murder, rape and kidnappings have led many to classify it as a terrorist organization.
A recent plot to bomb metropolitan Manila was uncovered, Aquino said. He went on to include that in the process of thwarting their intentions, he discovered a plan to assassinate him. Pacquiao, who has just retired from boxing and committed full-time to his congressional post in the Philippine's government, Aquino revealed, had also been the target of a foiled scheme. "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," the president said.
Monday might have marked a complete turning point in how national forces will confront the network from here on out, as 68-year-old Canadian John Ridsdel, whom had been in Abu Sayyaf's captivity, was found decapitated in what authorities believe is retribution for the government's refusal to pay up a ransom. Another headless body, believed to be that of a former mining executive, was found in a Sulu Jolo village town. A Norwegian, Filipino and another Canadian traveling with Ridsdel when they were captured in September, remain captive along with 20 other hostages. "It is also an opportunity because smashing these forces is within our grasp," said Acquino. "Casualties are to be expected."
Source: espn.go.com
