On October 8, 2025, Bicol University received a bomb threat, prompting the university to suspend classes and temporarily restrict access to campus.

The university received the threat, which explicitly targeted both the west and main campus, through its official social media page. In-person classes were suspended and students and staff were instructed to evacuate. Officers from the Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Unit investigated the threat and found no evidence of bombs.

This incident was one in a series of bomb threats targeting universities across the Philippines from August to December 2025. The threats coincided with student-led anti-corruption protests and appeared to be intended to chill free expression.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about threats aimed at intimidating the high education community and disrupting classes and campus life. Such actions undermine academic freedom and university autonomy. State and university authorities should take reasonable steps to respond to and prevent such attacks, including by investigating and holding perpetrators accountable.

Sources:
https://phkule.org/article/1784/at-least-17-univ-campuses-receive-bomb-threats-in-october
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/10/8/bomb-threat-causes-3-bicol-university-campuses-to-shift-to-online-classes-suspend-work-1743