Metro Manila, Philippines – The developer of the online game linked to the fatal shooting at a school in Tacloban City has refused to appear before a Senate inquiry.
The gaming application GoreBox has been temporarily banned in the country after the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) cited police findings that one of the Grade 9 students involved in the shooting was an avid player of the game. Authorities noted that the game allows players to experiment with weapons and features graphic depictions of violence.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality, said GoreBox developer Felix Filip, who identified himself as a Germany-based independent game developer, informed the committee that he would not attend the hearing scheduled for July 1, either in person or via Zoom.
In a copy of the email that Hontiveros’ office shared with the media on Friday, June 26, Filip expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the shooting at San Jose National High School, which left three students dead and 20 others injured on June 22.
He said, however, that “after careful consideration, [he] must respectfully decline” the committee’s invitation.
“I would respectfully note only, for the Committee’s record, that GoreBox is classified 18+ and is not intended for, or directed at, minors,” Filip wrote.
Hontiveros expressed dismay over Filip’s decision but said she would seek the assistance of the German Embassy in the Philippines regarding the matter.
“Hindi natin sinasabing isang laro lang ang dahilan ng trahedyang ito. Pero kung may online environment na maaaring naging bahagi ng pagkakalantad ng mga bata sa karahasan, tungkulin nating siyasatin iyon,” Hontiveros said.
[Translation: We are not saying that a single game alone caused this tragedy. But if there is an online environment that may have contributed to children’s exposure to violence, it is our duty to investigate it.]
She said she wanted to directly ask Filip about GoreBox safeguards, particularly its age restrictions, content moderation, and measures to prevent minors from being exposed to harmful behavior and online communities.
“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 [If they don’t recognize this, they should also be held accountable],” Hontiveros said.
