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Philippines bans video game played by alleged high school shooter

9 articles
5 sources
0% diversity
Updated 25.6.2026
Key Topics & People
school shooting *Philippines San Jose National High School Tacloban City Tacloban

Coverage Framing

6
2
1
Human Interest(6)
Technology(2)
Public Health(1)
Avg Factuality:80%
Avg Sensationalism:Moderate

Story Timeline

Jun 25 Morning

1 articles|1 sources
video game bangoreboxschool shootingonline influencesviolent behavior
Technology(1)
BBC News - WorldJun 25

Philippines bans video game played by alleged high school shooter

The Philippines has temporarily banned the video game Gorebox following a rare school shooting in Tacloban that killed three students and injured 20. Authorities stated that a 14-year-old suspect in the incident was a player of the game, which allows for violent combat. The country's cyber-security agency cited the need to assess potential online influences on the suspects' actions. The ban will allow for a thorough investigation into the game's possible role. Gorebox is described as a first-person shooter with extremely violent gameplay and has an R18 rating. Scientific studies have not established a direct link between video games and violent behavior.

Mixed toneFactual3 sources
Negative

Key Claims

factual

The Philippines has temporarily blocked the gaming app Gorebox.

— article

factual

Three students were killed and 20 others wounded in a school shooting in Tacloban.

— Police

factual

The 14-year-old suspect was a player of Gorebox.

— Police

factual

Scientific studies have not found a direct link between video games and violent behaviour.

— article

factual

A teenage suspect in a school shooting had been playing Gorebox.

— initial investigation

Jun 24 Morning

2 articles|2 sources
school shootingphilippinesgoreboxyouth radicalisationonline gaming app
Technology(1)
South China Morning PostJun 24

Philippines’ worst school shooting puts social media, games in the dock

Following the Philippines' deadliest school shooting, which resulted in three student deaths and 20 injuries at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte province, lawmakers have shifted focus to the internet. The incident has intensified calls to limit Filipino children's access to social media and online games. This renewed debate comes after police previously thwarted a school shooting plot involving teens radicalized online and as Indonesia implemented a ban on under-16s accessing certain online platforms. Experts, however, caution that broad restrictions may overlook the underlying causes of youth radicalization.

Mixed toneFactual1 source
Negative
Public Health(1)
The Guardian - World NewsJun 24

Philippines blocks GoreBox gaming app after school shooting kills three, injures 20

Philippine authorities have temporarily blocked the online gaming app GoreBox following a school shooting that killed three students and injured 20. Investigators stated that one of the two teenagers accused of the attack at San Jose National High School regularly played GoreBox, a game featuring graphic violence and weapons. The cybercrime investigation and coordinating centre issued the ban as a precautionary measure to assess potential online influences on the incident. The suspects, aged 14 and 15, may have been motivated by bullying, and authorities are also investigating potential nihilistic violent extremism. The human rights commission expressed alarm over other recent school violence incidents, highlighting the need for strengthened protective measures.

Mixed toneFactual3 sources
Negative

Key Claims

statistic

Two teenagers opened fire at a Philippine high school, resulting in three pupils killed and 20 injured.

factual

The incident has renewed calls to restrict Filipino children's access to social media and online games.

factual

Indonesia recently enacted a ban on under-16s accessing 'high-risk' platforms.

factual

Philippine authorities have temporarily blocked the online gaming app GoreBox after a school shooting killed three students and injured 20.

statistic

GoreBox has over 10 million downloads on Google Play and carries an R18+ rating due to its depictions of extreme violence.

Jun 23 Morning

1 articles|1 sources
school shootingphilippinesbullyingstudents killedwounded
Human Interest(1)
Al JazeeraJun 23

Bullying investigated after rare Philippines school shooting kills three

A rare school shooting in the central Philippines has resulted in the deaths of three students and injuries to seven others. The incident occurred at a school in the region. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Further details regarding the motive or perpetrator are not provided in the article. This event marks a significant and unusual occurrence of gun violence within a school setting in the Philippines.

MeasuredFactual
Negative

Key Claims

factual

Three students were killed in a rare school shooting in the central Philippines.

factual

Seven other students were wounded in the incident.

factual

The incident is being investigated as bullying.

Jun 22 Evening

1 articles|1 sources
school shootingcampus safetysystemic failuresmental well-beingschool bullying
Human Interest(1)
South China Morning PostJun 22

Fatal shooting exposes ‘systemic failures’ in Philippine schools

A shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Philippines, resulted in three students killed and seven injured. Two students, aged 14 and 15, have been arrested in connection with the incident. The weapons used were a .38 revolver and a 9mm pistol, with the latter traced to a police officer who is an aunt of one of the suspects. The .38 revolver is linked to a security agency. Authorities are investigating school bullying as a potential motive for the violence, with one suspect described as quiet and withdrawn with academic struggles. The incident has raised concerns about campus safety and the mental well-being of young people.

Mixed toneFactual2 sources
Negative

Key Claims

factual

A shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Philippines, resulted in three student deaths and seven injuries.

factual

Two students, aged 14 and 15, were arrested in connection with the shooting.

factual

One of the firearms, a 9mm pistol, was traced to a police officer who is an aunt of one of the suspects.

quote

The Philippine National Police stated that the motive for the crime appears to be a grudge stemming from school bullying.

— Philippine National Police

quote

One suspect was described as 'quiet [and] socially withdrawn' and had been held back a year due to poor academic performance.

— anonymous teacher

Jun 22 Morning

4 articles|4 sources
school shootingphilippinesbullyinggun violencesuspects
Human Interest(4)
BBC News - WorldJun 22

Three dead in Philippines high school shooting over bullying 'grudge'

Three people were killed and three others injured in a shooting at a high school in Tacloban City, Philippines. Police believe the attack was motivated by a "grudge" related to bullying. Investigators found violent videos on social media of one of the teens firing a gun, which authorities suggest could have been a preventable "red flag." The mother of a slain student called for gun owners to be held accountable for allowing the shooters access to firearms. City police urged parents to be more responsible with firearms and to speak with their children.

Mixed toneFactual2 sources
Negative
South China Morning PostJun 22

3 dead, 5 injured in Philippine school shooting

A school shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Central Philippines, on Monday morning resulted in three deaths and five injuries. Two individuals, including a 15-year-old Grade 9 student, are in police custody. One suspect was apprehended at the scene, and the other surrendered later. Police reported that the suspects used .38-caliber and 9mm firearms. Authorities stated that the shooting was allegedly motivated by bullying experienced by the suspects. The victims were transported to medical facilities for treatment.

MeasuredFactual3 sources
Negative
Associated Press (AP)Jun 22

2 young suspects in custody after shooting at high school in Philippines kills 3

Two young students, aged 14 and 15, opened fire at San Jose National High School in Tacloban city, Philippines, on Monday, killing three fellow students and wounding seven others. Police arrested both suspects, who were armed with one pistol each. Initial questioning suggests the suspects, who were close friends, claimed they were bullied at school. The investigation into the cause of the shooting is ongoing, with authorities noting lax security due to only one guard on duty. Most victims were female students. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a thorough investigation and called for increased security in public areas. While gun violence is prevalent in the Philippines, school shootings are rare.

Mixed toneFactual2 sources
Negative

Key Claims

factual

Three people died and three were injured by gunshots in a Philippines high school shooting.

quote

The mother of a slain student called for gun owners to be held accountable for allowing shooters access to firearms.

— Jennelyn Badoria

quote

Parents with firearms are urged to be more responsible, hide their firearms, and talk to their children.

— Evalyn Diaz

factual

Three students were killed and seven others were wounded in a school shooting in Tacloban, Philippines.

— police

factual

Two students have been arrested in connection with the shooting at San Jose National High School.

— police