President Benigno Aquino III yesterday bared moves by the Abu Sayyaf Group to gain access to the ISIS terr‎or group and its funds.

In a statement, Aquino said the ASG – which recently kidnapped 4 foreigners and beheaded one – planned to assissinate him, carry out bombings in Metro Manila and high-profile kidnappings including his sister Kris Aquino and boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.

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” The ASG and various smaller terrorist groups and factions now want to align themselves with ISIS to gain access to the funds and resources of ISIS. From Day One of my administration, they have had aspirations to conduct bombings in Metro Manila to catch the attention of ISIS. May I emphasize that these have been, and remain, only aspirations,” said Aquino.

“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. Threats against my own life have been investigated,” added Aquino.

Aquino has sent on 26 April 2016 a letter to the family of John Ridsdel (the Canadian businessman who was decapitated for failing to pay P200 million ransom) expressing his condolences.

” I am ready to devote all my energies towards ensuring that, at the very least, this will be a very seriously degraded problem that I will pass on to my successor,” said Aquino.

Aquino further explained how ASG was recruiting volunteers for the ISIS in the Philippines.

“As part of their effort to gain favor with ISIS, one of the ASG leaders, Isnilon Hapilon, through his cohorts in prison, has tried to convert other prisoners in New Bilibid Prison to their cause and establish ties with remnants of the Rajah Sulayman Movement purportedly in an attempt to embark on a bombing campaign in Metro Manila,” said Aquino.

Aquino said Hapilon has not succeeded as the government has “monitored their activities, unraveled their network, and arrested the key players, while some of the minor players who were already on the run are being hunted down.”

“I credit our security services for putting these threats to bed with both professionalism and discretion. The public may rest assured that they may go about their daily lives without fear or unease,” said Aquino.

To put the pressure on the ASG, Aquino said this was the reason why the military was conducting continuing operations in Basilan versus Isnilon Hapilon and his sub-leader Furuji Indama.