Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac City, Ilocos Norte continues to face a persistent wave of bomb threats that for over a year have disrupted classes, triggered evacuations, and forced authorities into repeated emergency responses.

Beginning in November 2024 and intensifying throughout November 2025, the threats have repeatedly activated the university’s emergency protocols — despite no explosive device ever being found.

The earliest threats targeted specific colleges, starting with the College of Health Sciences, followed by warnings aimed at the Colleges of Business, Agriculture, Engineering, Teacher Education and Industrial Technology. By mid-2025, the messages escalated, with one claiming timed explosives had been planted across all academic and administrative buildings. Another threat this November even invoked the New People’s Army, alleging an imminent attack on the College of Industrial Technology. A new round of threats throughout the month again forced heightened alert and disrupted campus operations.

Each incident pushed the university into full emergency posture — suspending classes, evacuating buildings, shifting sessions online, and mobilizing police, EOD teams, K9 units, firefighters, and cybercrime specialists. The repeated operations have strained government resources, diverting frontline responders from regular duties to conduct sweeps, secure perimeters, and chase digital leads.

In a press conference on 24 November, the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office confirmed that the threats follow a pattern aligned with academic schedules. Police Lt. Col. Ryan Retotar said many threats arrived during class hours or examinations, suggesting the intent was to disrupt academic activities rather than advance political or ideological goals.

Investigators stress that the incidents are not tied to destabilization plots, noting no evidence of political motivation.

In response, MMSU formed a cybersecurity task force with national agencies. While perpetrators used anonymous accounts and VPN tools, investigators say they did not completely erase their tracks.

A security insider told the Daily Tribune that digital breadcrumbs are beginning to point to specific individuals.

“They’ve become relaxed because they think their digital footprint is fully masked,” the source said.

“But they left traces. Regarding the 2024 incidents, we already have a lead. There is a person of interest due to extensive interagency cooperation.”

Investigators are also reviewing psychological profiles commonly associated with hoax bomb threats — such as attention-seeking behavior, emotional grievances, thrill-seeking, or the belief that such acts carry no real consequences.