Philippine authorities will temporarily block the gaming app Gorebox, used by a suspect in a deadly school shooting, to assess its role in fostering violence. Three students were killed and 20 wounded in the incident.
The incident highlights concerns about the potential influence of online gaming and digital platforms on youth violence, prompting government intervention and a broader investigation into contributing factors.
Philippine authorities announced on Tuesday they will temporarily block the online gaming app Gorebox, which was avidly used by one of the two students implicated in a deadly school shooting. The decision aims to assess whether the platform contributed to the violence that resulted in three student deaths and 20 injuries at San Jose National High School in Tacloban city.
Undersecretary Aboy Paraiso of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center stated that the block, effective Tuesday, is necessary because "we cannot ignore possible online influences that may have contributed to this tragic incident." The app, launched in 2023, is described as a "physics-driven sandbox game where creativity meets unrestrained destruction."
Regional police chief Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy indicated that the suspects, aged 14 and 15, told investigators they were retaliating for being bullied. However, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a comprehensive investigation to explore all possibilities, including the influence of online groups promoting rebellion and violent behavior among youth. One suspect obtained a 9 mm pistol from an aunt who is a police officer, while the other acquired a .38 caliber revolver from a security agency employee. Inadequate school security for its 1,600 students allowed the firearms onto campus.
Investigators recovered at least 40 shell casings at the scene. The suspects are to be turned over to government welfare officers due to their age. Under a 2006 Philippine law, the 14-year-old suspect may be exempt from criminal prosecution if authorities determine they were not fully aware of the crime's repercussions.