Pacquiao tightens security after kidnapping threats

Manny Pacquiao has increased security around his family after the president of the Philippines publicly announced that he and his family were kidnapping targets by Islamic militants. Pacquiao, who has now made his first public comments since the threat was revealed, expressed some concern that the president decided to announce the news publicly as opposed to taking it to him personally.

"If it came from an intelligence report, it should have been kept secret and need not be announced," he said. "And why just now? We have to study this."

Pacquiao did say however that he was concerned about the news nonetheless -- which is obviously a justifiable response.

"I was alarmed when he announced...the Abu Sayyaf (militants) wanted to kidnap me," Pacquiao said from Manila, according to the international news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP). "I'm surprised because all Filipinos are my friends. I love them, especially the Muslims."

Pacquiao insists that he'll be taking additional precautions, particularly for his family, as he continues his senatorial campaign with elections to be held next month. He has no plans on suspending his campaign amidst the threats.

"I doubt (the threat) but I'm not ignoring it," he said. "I live my life like every day is the last so I have no fear. God is with me."

Pacquaio, who is supposedly now retired from prizefighting, last fought on April 9th when he comprehensively beat Timothy Bradley in their third meeting. He finishes his career with at 58-6-2 (38 KOs) record.