Education in Pampanga faced a major disruption on Monday, October 6, 2025, when bomb threats prompted evacuations and led to class cancellations at five schools. These included the Pampanga State University Bacolor Campus, PSU Mexico Campus, Pampanga Colleges in Macabebe, Holy Cross College in Sta. Ana, and Our Lady of Fatima University in San Fernando. On October 7, another bomb threat disrupted operations at the National University in Clark, Pampanga, followed by three additional threats on October 8 targeting the University of the Assumption, Pampanga High School, and City College of Angeles City. This rise in threats raises important questions about safety, responsibility, and motives.
For Pampanga State University, this isn’t just a one-time occurrence. It’s the second time in three months that the university has been targeted. The repeated attacks can’t be dismissed as mere coincidence. They indicate a concerning pattern that needs immediate and thorough investigation. Why is PSU consistently in the crosshairs? Among all the schools in Pampanga, why has Pampanga State University been targeted twice, including at two of its campuses during the second attack?
According to the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, the threats on October 6 were received between 10:43 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. The response involved working with the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group and the Regional Intelligence Division to conduct digital forensics and identify the sources of the messages. While these efforts are commendable, they do not answer the most urgent questions: Who is behind these threats? What is their motive? And how long will the academic community stay at risk?
The way the threats were carried out also shows a level of planning beyond impulsive actions. The use of anonymous online platforms, coordination across multiple campuses, and precise timing all suggest an organized effort. Whether this was caused by a disgruntled political actor, a radical ideological group, or a rogue insider remains unknown. Still, the goal is clear. The perpetrators wanted to control the narrative and the focus of the public.
While these threats might seem meant to create fear and confusion initially, a deeper look points to a more strategic purpose. These bomb scares likely aren't just about terror or pranks. They seem to be deliberate efforts to divert public attention. In politics and society, diversion is a strong tactic that shifts focus away from important issues and towards false crises. Here, the threats might have been meant to distract the Capampangan community from more urgent problems, such as political disputes, government failures, or increasing social unrest. This also indicates that the goal wasn't just to induce panic but to disrupt a narrative of progress and pride. So, what were the perpetrators trying to make the public overlook?
The media needs to go beyond just reporting and start asking tough questions. Who benefits from these threats? What political, social, or personal tensions could be behind them? What steps has the university administration taken so far regarding these bomb threats? Have they conducted their own investigation after the initial scare? If so, what did they find out? If not, when do they plan to start? These questions require answers before more bomb threats occur.
School administrators must take decisive steps. A reactive approach no longer works. They need to review security measures, improve collaboration with law enforcement, and communicate openly with students and staff. What are the school administration’s plans moving forward? Has it considered conducting internal investigations or establishing community safety programs? These actions are essential for rebuilding trust and ensuring everyone’s safety.
Students are at the heart of this crisis. Immediate steps are needed to address their safety concerns and support their academic progress. The administration should involve student leaders in talks, offer mental health resources, and ensure educational activities run smoothly. These students are not just passive learners but partners in protecting their institution’s integrity. The psychological impact of these threats must not be ignored. Telling students that their campus is unsafe and their education is at risk can cause lasting trauma. Complacency and vague promises won’t ease that fear. Only transparency, accountability, and action can fix it.
Law enforcement has increased police visibility and encouraged the public to report suspicious activities. While these actions are necessary, they are not sufficient. The perpetrators must be identified and prosecuted; anything less allows them to continue their activities, leading to more chaos. The help of the National Telecommunications Commission should also be considered in tracing the source of the SIM cards used for threats. Under the SIM Registration Act, all numbers must be registered, and the NTC can verify ownership and work with telecom providers to assist investigators in finding the sender. This partnership could be crucial in stopping these threats and preventing future incidents.
This is more than just a security issue. It’s a fight for attention, truth, and control. The people of Pampanga need to stay alert, not only against violence but also against the greater danger of manipulation. Sometimes, the real bomb isn’t the one that goes off; it’s the one that distracts. And in that distraction, the real harm is done.
This is the moment to look beyond the bomb threats.