Tacloban: The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on the online game GoreBox in response to a tragic school shooting in Tacloban that resulted in multiple casualties.
According to Thai News Agency, the Philippine Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) announced the suspension of GoreBox to assess whether the game influenced the behavior of the perpetrators involved in the incident. One suspect was reportedly addicted to the game, prompting authorities to examine the potential impact of violent video games on youth. Furthermore, the Secretary of Home Affairs and Local Administration has suggested a permanent ban on similar games, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressing support for legislation aimed at regulating violent games to safeguard young people.
GoreBox, a creation of German developer F2Games, is a first-person sandbox shooter known for its realistic weapon simulations and graphic violence, earning it an R18 rating. The shocking mass shooting unfolded at San Jose National High School in Tacloban, Leyte Province, on Monday morning. Two male students, aged 14 and 15, opened fire inside classrooms, leading to the deaths of three students and injuries to 20 others. The suspects, who were later apprehended, used a 9mm and a .38 caliber handgun borrowed from family members. Initial investigations revealed that the boys claimed to have been bullied and planned the attack in the school restroom before executing it.
The police have charged the 15-year-old suspect with murder, while the 14-year-old is considered too young to face charges under Philippine law.