3 MIN READ

By SHERWIN DE VERA
www.nordis.net

QUEZON CITY—A series of bomb threats has unsettled the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) community, with the latest incident reported on November 23. 

“Our University has received another bomb threat… After careful and thorough panelling conducted by the Philippine National Police, the campus has been cleared of any security risk and declared safe,” the MMSU administration said in a statement.

The incident marks the third threat in over a week and the seventh since November 2024. 

School officials said they have coordinated with the local government, the Philippines National Police (PNP), and emergency responders, who also investigated a similar threat last week. No explosives were found in either incident. 

“MMSU strongly condemns all bomb threats, whether directed at our institution or at any school in the country,” the statement read. “Universities exist to advance learning, discovery, and open dialogue—principles targeted by acts meant to intimidate or cause fear.”

Face-to-face classes and on-site work resumed in all MMSU campuses on Monday.

Security  inspections have been set up at the entry point, with authorities asking for cooperation from students, employees, and visitors as a “precautionary response.” The university has also deployed emergency teams on standby for evacuation procedures “to ensure everyone’s safety.”

Scare tactics

In a statement following the November 17 threat, Kabataan Partylist condemned the act as a “deliberate act of terror that placed thousands of students, teachers, and staff in fear and uncertainty.”

The group noted that the recent threat, which also occurred in several schools nationwide, coincided with the country’s observance of National Students’ Day, marked by youth-led protests in various areas.  

It said the timing prevented students from taking part in activities and assemblies. “The message is clear: someone wants young people scared, silenced, and unable to gather, speak, or organize on a day dedicated to honoring their voice and their power,” it said.

Kabataan said these threats worsen the challenges students face, including class disruptions, classroom shortages, extreme weather, and reliance on online learning. 

Persons of interest

School and law enforcement officials have reminded that spreading false information about bombs is a crime under Presidential Decree No. 1727. The law penalizes violators with up to five years in prison, a fine of up to forty thousand pesos, or both.

Meanwhile, the PNP stressed that they are thoroughly investigating the incidents to identify those responsible. The police shared that improved digital forensics and coordination among agencies have allowed them to identify two individuals in connection with the November 2024 bomb threat, with charges to be filed soon.

Several higher education institutions (HEIs) across the Philippines have recently received similar threats, forcing school authorities to cancel classes and disrupting campus operations. 

“Colleges and universities must remain safe spaces for learning. Any attempt to spread fear, provoke disorder, or destabilize academic institutions is a serious intrusion on academic freedom and undermines institutions entrusted with advancing education and national development,” the Commission on Higher Education said in a statement.

To ensure campus safety, the commission has directed HEIs to coordinate closely with law enforcement agencies. “Those responsible for bomb threats or for spreading false information to incite panic or fear will face full accountability,”

CHED stated, committing its full support to the prosecution of those accountable. “We strongly appeal not to subject our education institutions to acts that sow fear or disruption.”#nordis.net