Philippines President Benign Aquino III recently revealed that he and champion boxer Manny Pacquiao were the target of a kidnapping plot from terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. This is the same group that beheaded Canadian journalist John Ridsdel earlier this week after they did not receive a large ransom that they demanded. Back in September, Ridsdel and roughly 20 others were kidnapped from a southern marina in the Philippines.
Aquino says that Abu Sayyaf had targeted him, Pacquiao and one of Pacquaio’s children in an effort to gain a massive ransom pay off. Manny is currently one of the frontrunners for a senate run in his native country. There is no word on whether the fighter’s political aspirations played any factor in him being a target. All of the remaining hostages are still being held captive with hopes that can be freed.
Respect: IFWT
