Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Sen. Risa Hontiveros was elected as chairperson of the Committees on Health and Demography and Women, Family Relations, and Gender Equality during the first special session of the 20th Congress on June 17, 2026.
Wendell Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit

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<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/178283173378420260617-senate-special-session-hontiveros-SSMU-.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Sen. Risa Hontiveros was elected as chairperson of the Committees on Health and Demography and Women, Family Relations, and Gender Equality during the first special session of the 20th Congress on June 17, 2026. Wendell Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Sen. Risa Hontiveros was elected as chairperson of the Committees on Health and Demography and Women, Family Relations, and Gender Equality during the first special session of the 20th Congress on June 17, 2026. <em>Wendell Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit</em><em></em><u><em></em></u></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA – The Senate is set to resume its investigation on July 1 into the role of online gaming platforms in exposing minors to violent content and harmful online communities following the deadly shooting at a school in Tacloban City.</p><p>Lawmakers are expected to examine platforms such as Roblox and other popular online games amid concerns over content moderation, age restrictions, and how digital spaces may be used for grooming, radicalization, or recruitment of young users.</p><p>“Bilang Chairperson ng Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, muli nating bubuksan sa July 1, 2026 ang Senate hearing para alamin kung may papel ang mga online platforms sa pagkalat ng mararahas na ideya,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said.</p><p>The inquiry follows the <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/22/alleged-school-shooting-reported-in-tacloban-1034">June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban</a> that left three students dead and several others injured. </p><p>Authorities are looking into various factors surrounding the incident, including the possible influence of online content and gaming communities.</p><p>The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, chaired by Hontiveros, will revisit concerns on how minors interact in online gaming environments, particularly through chat functions, user-generated content, and communities within these platforms.</p><p>Among the platforms expected to be discussed are Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Free Fire.</p><p>The probe gained urgency after investigators flagged the game GoreBox, which was reportedly linked to one of the suspects. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) moved to block access to the game while authorities assess its possible connection to the incident.</p><p>&quot;We are blocking GoreBox temporarily as a precautionary measure pending the investigation. Within the day, expect the app to be blocked,&quot; said CICC Undersecretary Aboy Paraiso on June 23. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/6/24/cicc-gorebox-ban-to-stay-until-developer-adds-safeguards-1906">CICC: GoreBox ban to stay until developer adds safeguards</a></div><p>The developer of GoreBox earlier declined an invitation to attend the Senate hearing, saying the game is intended for adult users and is not designed for children.</p><p>Beyond the platforms themselves, senators are expected to discuss broader issues involving online safety, including age verification, parental controls, content moderation, and accountability of technology companies.</p><p>Experts have cautioned against directly attributing violence to video games alone, noting that investigations should also consider other factors such as bullying, access to weapons, personal circumstances, and online influences.</p><p>The July 1 Senate probe will be led by Hontiveros and will begin at 10 a.m.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/6/23/cybercrime-body-bans-videogame-gorebox-after-tacloban-school-shooting-1545">Cybercrime body bans videogame GoreBox after Tacloban school shooting</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" 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><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7Q3uFR4WZIE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Senate is set to resume its investigation on July 1 into the role of online gaming platforms in exposing minors to violent content and harmful online communities following the deadly shooting at a school in Tacloban City.</p>

The Senate is set to resume its investigation on July 1 into the role of online gaming platforms in exposing minors to violent content and harmful online communities following the deadly shooting at a school in Tacloban City.

Senate to probe Roblox, gaming platforms’ role in youth safety on July 1

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Senate to probe Roblox, gaming platforms’ role in youth safety on July 1

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 01, 2026 06:00 AM PHT

Read More:

Risa Hontiveros

Senate

E-games

esports

gun violence

school shooting

Tacloban shooting

San Jose National High School

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