Philippines temporarily blocks game after high‑school shooting linked to minors

Published 24 June 2026

The Philippine government announced it would block the mobile game Gorebox after a preliminary investigation showed that a 14‑year‑old suspect involved in a rare high‑school shooting in Tacloban had played the game. The shooting, which killed three students and wounded 20 more, was carried out by two teenagers aged 14 and 15 who used handguns found in family homes.

Cyber‑security officials said the decision to halt the game will allow a full assessment of whether the violent content of Gorebox may have helped shape the suspects’ actions. The game, rated R18 in the International Age Rating Coalition for its unrestrained combat and drug‑free violence, lets players destroy virtually anything with a full range of weapons. While scientific studies find no direct link between video‑game play and violent behaviour, authorities are sensitive to the role online media can play in preparing youth for real‑world aggression.

Senators and activists have urged tougher penalties for minors who gain access to firearms. Representative Chel Diokno called for harsher fines for people allowing children to obtain weapons. The incident also revived discussions about how online platforms can ‘brainwash’ and radicalise young users, a concern voiced by Senator Risa Hontiveros and others who criticised the absence of strong regulation on violent media.

The Philippine National Police said the two boys claimed they had been bullied in school and that their shooting was pre‑planned, highlighting the need for better support for children at risk of extreme behaviour. In response, lawmakers noted the importance of conducting regular drills and simulations so students can react calmly to emergencies, amid fears of copy‑cat incidents that have sparked panic in other countries.