Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17824401559951782440152780.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"></span></span></span></div><p>GoreBox screencap from Google Play</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The developer of Gorebox, the online game linked to the Tacloban school shooting, has declined to attend a hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality on July 1. </p><p>In a press release on Friday, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she would seek the help of the German Embassy in the Philippines to facilitate the participation of the developer who is reportedly based in Germany.</p><p>Last June 22, a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old student fired guns inside their school in Tacloban City, Leyte killing three students and injuring 20 others. The suspects are now in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/6/24/do-video-games-cause-violence-tacloban-shooting-triggers-debate-1743">Do video games cause violence? Tacloban shooting triggers debate</a></div><p>In his email to the Senate Committee Secretariat, a copy of which was provided by the Committee to reporters, Gorebox developer Felix Filip said the gaming app is “classified 18+ and is not intended for, or directed at minors.” </p><p>He <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/26/gorebox-game-developer-heartbroken-over-tacloban-school-shooting-says-to-cooperate-with-probe-0827">condoled</a> with the loved ones of the victims.</p><p>“I want to express my sincere condolences to the families of the victims, to the students and staff of San Jose National High School, and to the wider community in Tacloban City. What happened on 22 June is a profound tragedy, and those affected by it deserve to be at the centre of this matter,” Filip said in his email.</p><div><a href="http://CICC: GoreBox ban to stay until developer adds safeguards">CICC: GoreBox ban to stay until developer adds safeguards</a></div><p>Hontiveros was dismayed by Filip’s refusal to attend whether in person or via Zoom.</p><p>“Nakakadismaya na pinili ni Mr. Filip na huwag dumalo sa darating na hearing namin lalo na’t marami sana akong gustong malaman mula sa kanya mismo,” Hontiveros said in a statement.</p><p>“My committee remains open to facilitate his attendance and participation in our investigation in case he changes his mind. Hindi dito nagtatapos ang aming pagnanais na marinig siya,” she added.</p><p>The lawmaker said she wanted to ask Filip about Gorebox’s safeguards and content moderation, among others. </p><p>She also gave a warning to foreign-based developers and online platforms.</p><p>“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. Kung ayaw nilang kilalanin, mananagot rin sila,” Hontiveros remarked.</p><p>Hontiveros clarified that she was  not saying the tragedy happened due to one game, but wanted to know if this was a factor. </p><p>Other issues the Senate wants to investigate are the possible grooming, radicalization, and normalization of violence in online platforms.</p><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div><div><strong>JUVENILE JUSTICE ACT </strong></div><div> </div><p>Meanwhile, Sen. Erwin Tulfo, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development, said it was time to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 or Republic Act 9344.</p><p>“Nitong mga nakaraang araw, naging malinaw para sa atin na dapat nang repasuhin at suriin nang mas malalim ang Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. Hindi lamang yung mga probisyon nito, kundi yung implementasyon at on-ground application nito na nakakaapekto sa buhay at kalayaan ng mga kabataan,” Tulfo said in a statement on Friday. </p><p>He said he was consulting with criminal law experts, juvenile justice experts, law enforcement, and social welfare groups on the issue of lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility. </p><p>“Kailangan nating tapat na sagutin: Dapat na nga ba ibaba ang age of criminal liability? Effective ba ang implementasyon ng batas na ito para sa pagbalanse ng rehabilitation ng mga batang nagkasala at ng seguridad ng mga komunidad? May mga sapat bang pasilidad ang pamahalaan para maisakatuparan yung mithiin ng batas?” Tulfo asked. </p><p>“Hindi po maiiwasan na sa mga ganitong kasensitibong usapin ay magkakaiba tayo ng pananaw. Pero ito na po ang panahon para magkaisa ang lahat ng sektor. Kailangan na ng totoong solusyon,” he said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/24/tacloban-school-shooters-had-target-police-1256">Tacloban school shooters had target — police </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/24/police-looking-at-family-issues-involving-14-year-old-suspect-in-tacloban-school-shooting-1705">Police looking at family issues involving 14-year-old suspect in Tacloban school shooting</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/25/deped-audits-school-security-measures-after-tacloban-shooting-1454">DepEd audits school security measures after Tacloban shooting</a></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zQGyp6Swp10?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eCnx993xVPg?&amp;pp=0gcJCUELAYcqIYzv&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Sen.Risa Hontiveros said Friday she would seek the help of the German embassy to facilitate the participation of the Gorebox video game developer in a Senate probe into the school shooting in Tacloban.</p>

Sen.Risa Hontiveros said Friday she would seek the help of the German embassy to facilitate the participation of the Gorebox video game developer in a Senate probe into the school shooting in Tacloban.

Gorebox developer declines invite to Senate probe on Tacloban shooting

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Gorebox developer declines invite to Senate probe on Tacloban shooting

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 26, 2026 10:20 AM PHT

|

Updated June 26, 2026 11:29 AM PHT

Read More:

Senate probe

GoreBox

video game

computer game

Risa Hontiveros

Tacloban

school shooting

shooting

gun violence

schools

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.