LAGUNA, Philippines – Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao expressed shock Thursday, April 28, at President Benigno Aquino III’s claim that the Abu Sayyaf group planned to kidnap him.

Talking to reporters at the sidelines of a United Nationalist Alliance sortie in Laguna, the senatorial candidate said he should have been told about the alleged plot first, and that it should not have been made public.

“No, ‘di ko alam, wala. Saka sa akin lang is kung ‘yan ang talagang intelligence report, dapat ipaalam sa akin, hindi i-announce ‘no, and sabihin sa akin ahead of time,” Pacquiao told reporters on the sidelines of a sortie in Laguna on Thursday, April 28.  

(No, I didn’t know. Nothing. For me, if that was really the intelligence report, they should have informed me ahead of time, before it was announced.)

On Wednesday, Aquino released a statement condemning the Abu Sayyaf for beheading Canadian hostage. He also released that the group planned, among others, to kidnap his sister, actress Kris Aquino or one of her children, or Pacquiao or one of his kids.

Aquino had said that the group planned to use them to bargain for the release of its jailed members.

‘Muslim friends won’t harm me’

While he doubted the threat, Pacquiao said he was not dismissing it altogether.

“So may doubt pa rin ako kumbaga, pero ‘di natin binabalewala. Kinoconsider din natin kasi I doubt na magagawa ng kapatid nating Muslim (I have my doubts, but we’re not disregarding it either. I doubt my Muslim brothers would do it),” said the lawmaker-boxer, who traces his roots in General Santos City, South Cotabato.

“Nung narinig ko ‘yan, nagulat [ako] dahil kaibigan natin ang lahat, especially ang ating mga kaibigang Muslim. Kaibigan naman natin lahat at tinutulungan natin ang bawat pamilya na nangangailangan ng tulong,” added Pacquiao, whose unprecedented 8 world titles have made him one of the Philippines’ richest men. (READ: There will never be another Manny Pacquiao)

(When I heard about that, I was surprised because we are friends with everyone, even the Muslims. We’re all friends and we’re helping every family who needs help.)

Pacquiao said he would add security detail for wife Jinkee and his 5 children who are in his hometown of General Santos.

General Santos is part of the conflict-wracked southern Philippine region of Mindanao, where an array of Islamic militant groups are based and a separatist insurgency has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

The Abu Sayyaf’s main stronghold islands are about 400 kilometers away from General Santos.

The Abu Sayyaf, whose leaders have declared allegiance to the Islamic State group, are believed to be holding more than 20 other foreigners captive.

Pacquiao, an evangelical Christian, said he was not worried about his own safety and that he would continue hitting the campaign trail where huge crowds flock to him in chaotic scenes.

“I live my life like every day is the last so I have no fear. God is with me,” he said.

Aquino’s spokesmen were not immediately available to comment on Pacquiao’s statements. – with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com