Full Breakdown
GoreBox Temporarily Blocked After Tacloban School Shooting
6/24/2026, 11:37:41 PM
Core Event: Shooting and Immediate Ban
On 22 June 2024, two Grade 9 students, aged 14 and 15, entered a classroom at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City and opened fire, killing three students and wounding 20. Police recovered at least 40 shell casings. The next day, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) temporarily blocked the mobile game GoreBox to assess any role in the violence.
Context: Rare School Violence and Firearm Access
School shootings are rare in the Philippines, though illegal firearms are widespread. Investigators say the younger suspect obtained a 9 mm pistol from a police-officer aunt, while the older used a .38-calibre revolver from a security-agency employee. GoreBox, launched in 2023, has over 10 million downloads and carries an R18+ rating for extreme violence. Both suspects cited bullying as a motive.
Key Actors
- Aboy Paraiso, CICC undersecretary, announced the ban and monitoring plan.
- Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, Police Regional Office-8 director, confirmed the suspect’s regular use of GoreBox.
- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., briefed on the case and open to proposals restricting violent games.
Timeline
The shooting occurred on 22 June, killing three and injuring 20. CICC blocked GoreBox on 23 June. Police recovered shell casings and expanded the probe on 24-25 June. By late June, lawmakers began debating lower criminal-responsibility ages and tighter regulation of violent games.
Official Statements & Government Response
CICC undersecretary Paraiso said the temporary ban allows investigators to examine online influences. Police stressed an inquiry into bullying, weapon access and extremist content. The administration expressed openness to amending Republic Act 9344 to adjust the age of criminal responsibility and pledged monitoring through the Threat Monitoring Center and the Council for the Welfare of Children.
Criticism, Opposition, and Calls for Regulation
Human-rights groups warned that recent school attacks reveal inadequate student safeguards. Senators Robinhood Padilla and Francis Pangilinan urged legislative action: Padilla to lower the criminal-responsibility age, Pangilinan to reaffirm minor accountability. Observers note rising pressure for age-verification on gaming and social-media platforms.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Authorities have not proven a direct causal link between GoreBox and the shooting. Police confirm the younger suspect’s frequent gameplay but have not determined whether the game influenced the decision to use firearms. The weapons’ source and any online radicalisation remain under investigation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We cannot ignore possible online influences that may have contributed to this tragic incident.” — Aboy Paraiso, CICC undersecretary
- “As per our investigation, it was GoreBox,” — Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas director
- “The two [suspects] went straight to the classroom. Without saying anything, they started firing,” — Colonel Allen Rae Co, PNP public-information officer
- “There is really accountability under the law,” — Sen. Francis Pangilinan
What’s Next: Legislative and Monitoring Plans
The CICC will keep GoreBox blocked while the Threat Monitoring Center expands surveillance of apps. Congress is set to debate amendments to Republic Act 9344 and stricter age-verification for violent games. Authorities also plan to boost school security and encourage cyberbullying reports via hotline 1326.
