Militants 'plotted to kill Philippine president and kidnap boxer Manny Pacquiao'

The Philippine president has said Abu Sayyaf militants accused of beheading a Canadian hostage may have plotted to kill him and kidnap boxing star Manny Pacquiao.

Benigno Aquino III said the Muslim militants also wanted to explode bombs in metropolitan Manila to try to get funding from the so-called 'Islamic State' group, but the plans were uncovered, adding that troops have reduced the group's ability to inflict harm.