GoreBox developer rejects Senate invitation to Tacloban school shooting probe
MANILA, Philippines — The German developer of GoreBox, a game that authorities have linked to the Tacloban school shooting, has declined to attend the Senate hearing scheduled for July 1.
“I am an independent game developer based in Germany. After careful consideration, I must respectfully decline the invitation to appear at the hearing on 1 July 2026, whether in person or via zoom,” Filip said in an email, as reported by One PH.
In the same email sent to the secretariat of the Senate committee on women and children, GoreBox developer Felix Filip expressed his condolences to the Tacloban community following the June 22 school shooting at San Jose National High School that left three students dead and 20 others wounded.
Not for minors
The government earlier ordered the temporary blocking of Filip's game in the country after authorities linked it to factors that may have influenced the minor suspects to commit violence.
Authorities earlier reported that GoreBox, which they described as a violent game involving firearms, was regularly played by an alias "Nash," the 14-year-old suspect in the Tacloban shooting.
The game was also allegedly linked to the foiled mass shooting attempt in Leyte. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier reported that the student involved in the attempt, who was also 14 years old, was a fan of GoreBox.
The game developer, however, stressed that GoreBox is intended for players aged 18 and above.
“I would respectfully note only, for the Committee’s record, that GoreBox is classified 18+ and is not intended for, or directed at, minors,” the developer said.
Violent games, violent gamers?
The effects of online games on the behavior of players are being heavily debated following these incidents.
The Senate hearing, to be led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, aims to continue the chamber's investigation into the alleged role of gaming platforms in spreading violent ideologies among the youth.
The lawmaker briefly cited the committee's initial findings in April on the role of Roblox, a different online gaming platform, in the radicalization of young people into violence.
“Nagiging pugad ang mga ito ng mga grupong nambe-brainwash at nagra-radicalize sa mga bata,” Hontiveros said in a post on June 23.
(These [games] become nests for groups who brainwash and radicalize children.)
On the other hand, cybersecurity analyst Art Samaniego Jr. said in an interview with dzMM on Wednesday, June 24, that there are no existing studies proving that playing video games affects people's behavior in real life.
What does exist, according to Samaniego, is a study that disproves such a link.
"May ginawang study kasi sa Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, na wala silang nakitang clear link between aggressive behavior ng mga teenager at sa amount of time at kung anong nilalaro nila online,” Samaniego explained.
(There was a study by the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, and they did not see a clear link between the aggressive behavior of teenagers and the amount of time they spend or the type of games they play online.)
Instead of focusing on the games, Samaniego said authorities should look more closely at the online communities and networks that may have urged the young suspects to commit violence.
Meanwhile, Hontiveros expressed disappointment over Filip's decision not to appear at the Senate hearing.
“Any developer or online company that wants to operate here, profit from Filipino users, and reach Filipino children must respect our laws and our institutions. This should be the bare minimum for them to do business here,” Hontiveros said.
- Latest
- Trending
