Philippines Temporarily Bans 'Gorebox' After Teen Shooter Claims Game Influenced Violence
On Sunday, the Department of Cybercrime announced that the first‑person shooter Gorebox had been blocked on Philippine networks pending a review, following an investigation that found the 14‑year‑old suspect in the Tacloban school shooting was an avid player.
The shooting, carried out at San Jose National High School, left three students dead and 20 others wounded. Investigators said the boys, aged 15 and 14, reportedly fired handguns inside a classroom after spending hours in the game, which allows players to destroy objects and weapons with limited restraint.
“We cannot ignore possible online influences that may have contributed to this tragic incident,” the cyber‑security agency wrote. The decision to block the app, missing for the next 24 hours, is intended to give officials time to scrutinise whether the platform played a role in the suspects’ actions.
Gorebox, developed by German studio F2Games, is rated R18 on the International Age Rating Coalition, citing extremely violent and unrestrictive gameplay. While scientific studies have not found a reliable link between violent video games and real‑world aggression, the case has intensified debates over digital exposure for minors.
Senators have condemned the incident as an example of how online content can “brainwash” and “radicalise” children. Senator Risa Hontiveros said digital platforms have become “nests” for radicalisation and called for urgent reforms. Meanwhile, Mayor Joy Belmonte in Quezon City urged schools to conduct safety drills and reassess security protocols.
Education Minister Sonny Angara expressed concern over potential copy‑cat influences, noting that the Philippines, though unlikely to see mass shootings like those in the United States, still faces frequent gun‑related crimes. The government is reviewing policies on parental limits for youth access to both firearms and violent media.
The high‑school shooting marks another rare instance of violence involving minors in the Philippines, reinforcing calls for stricter controls on gun ownership for young people. The authorities have also investigated the ownership of the firearms used, linking the 9mm pistol to a policewoman’s aunt and the .38 handgun to a grandfather’s security agency.
