Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17739345306441773934528267.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>A photo shows the logo of Roblox during the Gamescom video games trade fair at the Trade Fair Center in Cologne, western Germany, on the first day of the fair on August 20, 2025. <em>Ina Fassbender/Agence France-Presse</em></div><div><br/></div><p>Philippine cybercrime authorities are mulling a ban on popular online gaming platform Roblox for allegedly being used for sexual predation, grooming and exploitation of minors.</p><p>Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda said he is putting Roblox on formal notice that it could face restriction or even suspension if it fails to tighten child safety systems.</p><p>“Hindi na safe space kung may batang nalalagay sa panganib. Sa direktiba ni Pangulo Ferdinand Marcos Jr., unahin ang proteksyon ng kabataan. Walang platform ang above sa batas pagdating sa child safety,” he said in a Facebook post.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid0tqk7wmPQAUiabjfeLMj7kLKDUZU8TFUkDPJ5ohrFcuFRjm52MW2Eiuxt84dAct5wl%26id%3D61575056920740&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=500" width="500" height="498" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Undersecretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center executive director, said Roblox will have until the end of the month to contact Philippine authorities and discuss what measures are being implemented to make the game a safe space for children.</p><p>“Ang balak namin, pag hindi sumagot sa amin si Roblox, kakausapin namin ang mga telcos para i-ban sila. At ito, mas-intensive ang banning natin kasi kakausapin din natin si Google Play Store at Apple Store para magkaroon ng geo-fencing dito sa larong it. Kahit ang application hindi na magamit dito,” he said.</p><p>In the interview, Paraiso listed the dangers of the game itself including promoting violence, “promoting unruly behavior sa mga bata, pagiging impatient, magiging bastos.”</p><p>He said not all Roblox gamers are children, saying some are drug dealers, child exploiters and pedophiles.</p><p>“Ginagamit nila ang platform na ‘yan para makapambitima. At minsan ‘yan, dyan na nagkakaroon ng transaksyon. When it comes to illegal na kontrabando, yung drugs, yung firearms, andyan na rin,” he said.</p><p>“Kumbaga itong mga loko-loko na ito, nagtago doon sa game para hindi masyadong mamonitor ng mga operatiba natin.”</p><p>Paraiso noted Roblox has been <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/2/20/los-angeles-sues-roblox-over-child-exploitation-claim-0653">banned by other countries</a> including Qatar, Iraq and Turkey, while also facing several lawsuits in Los Angeles, Texas and Louisiana for failing to keep children safe.</p><p>A 2024 report by Hindenburg Research described it as an &quot;X-rated pedophile hellscape&quot; that exposed children to grooming and pornography.</p><p>Paraiso also urged parents to monitor their children’s gaming habits to protect them from sexual predators and exploitation. With Agence France-Presse</p><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="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AqdflXI_7Ko?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Philippine cybercrime authorities are mulling a ban on popular online gaming platform Roblox for allegedly being used for sexual predation, grooming and exploitation of minors.</p>

Philippine cybercrime authorities are mulling a ban on popular online gaming platform Roblox for allegedly being used for sexual predation, grooming and exploitation of minors.

Philippines threatens Roblox ban for harboring pedophiles, drug dealers

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Philippines threatens Roblox ban for harboring pedophiles, drug dealers

David Dizon,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 20, 2026 12:13 AM PHT

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