Pacquiao shrugs off texted kidnap threats

MANILA, Philippines – Threats to kidnap Pinoy boxing icon Manny Pacquiao once again surfaced on Thursday, with his security chief confirming that the world's top pound-for-pound boxer has recently been getting warning text messages. The kidnap plot against the Pacquiaos would usually surface after the boxer’s bouts, according to James Vasquez in a report aired over "24 Oras," the early evening newscast of GMA News. But Pacquiao is not in the least bit worried, saying: "Ako naintindihan ko yan. Ika nga, hindi lahat ng tao bumoboto sa 'yo, pumapabor sa 'yo. Ako dasal sa Panginoon nandiyan, si God hindi ako ipapahamak pati pamilya ko." Pacquiao said. ["I understand these threats. As the saying goes, you cannot please everybody. As for me, I will leave everything to God. He won't let my me and my family get into trouble."] Pacquiao, who defeated boxing’s Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya last Dec. 6, also got kidnap threats in 2006 after he defeated Mexican boxer Erik Morales. As usual, following such threats, security efforts for the Pacquiaos have been tightened. "May mga text messages nga na dumating kay boss Manny na mayroon planong kidnapin yung pamilya. Mahirap i-ignore 'yun [We have been receiving threats and it’s hard to ignore it]," Carlos Homo, Pacquiao's personal security chief, said. Team Pacquiao was dismayed at the plot. "Nakakasama ng loob na 'yung national treasure ng bansang Pilipinas na si Mr. Manny Pacquiao ay meron pa palang talagang pwedeng mag-isip ng masama [It's sad to think that there are still some people who could think of doing something bad to our country’s national treasure, Mr. Manny Pacquiao]," Jake Joson said. - GMANews.TV