The Philippines has temporarily blocked the mobile game Gorebox after investigators found a 14-year-old suspect in a Tacloban high school shooting had been playing it. Two teenagers allegedly opened fire in a classroom, killing three students and injuring 20; the 15-year-old faces murder charges while the 14-year-old is too young to be charged. Authorities said the block will help determine whether online content influenced the attack, and officials have suspended a policewoman linked to one of the guns as probes continue.
Philippines Temporarily Blocks Gorebox After Tacloban High School Shooting
Gorebox is a game where "creativity meets unrestrained destruction", according to its Google Play listing [F2Games]
The Philippine government has temporarily blocked the mobile game Gorebox as authorities investigate whether online influences played a role in a rare and deadly school shooting in Tacloban. Two teenagers allegedly opened fire inside a classroom at San Jose National High School, killing three students and wounding 20 others.
What Happened
Police say the suspects are aged 15 and 14. Late on Tuesday, authorities filed murder charges against the 15-year-old. The 14-year-old is too young to be charged under Philippine law, but investigators identified him as a player of Gorebox, a first-person shooter with an R18 classification by the International Age Rating Coalition.
Gorebox is a game where "creativity meets unrestrained destruction", according to its Google Play listing [F2Games]
Investigations and Actions
Aboy Paraiso, an undersecretary at the Cybercrime Investigation and Co-ordinating Centre, said the temporary block will allow authorities to "conduct a thorough assessment into whether the platform played any role in the actions of the suspects." BBC News has contacted Germany-based developer F2Games for comment.
"We cannot ignore possible online influences that may have contributed to this tragic incident," the country's cyber-security agency said.
Independent scientific research has not established a direct causal link between playing violent video games and committing real-world acts of violence; investigators are examining multiple factors, including social media activity.
The shooting happened in Tacloban, where thousands died from Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 [EPA]
Weapons, Motive and Local Response
Police said the 9mm pistol the younger suspect is alleged to have fired belonged to his aunt, a policewoman who has been suspended pending inquiry. The 15-year-old's .38-calibre handgun was registered to a security agency run by his grandfather. Preliminary statements indicate the suspects claimed they had been bullied at school and that the attack appeared planned.
A friend of the 15-year-old, speaking on condition of anonymity, described him as tense, disciplined and familiar with guns. Officials also said the younger boy had been posting violent material online prior to the attack.
Senators say online platforms could be radicalising Filipino children [EPA]
Official Reactions and Next Steps
Lawmakers and officials called for urgent reviews. Senator Risa Hontiveros said platforms can become "nests for brainwashing and radicalising our youth," and senators said they would resume probes into the effects of violent online content on children. Local leaders urged stronger controls on minors' access to firearms and improved school security, including drills and emergency protocols.
The incident reignited debate in the Philippines about gun access, online safety, and how best to protect students. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and have urged the public to avoid speculation while they examine digital and physical evidence.
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