The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has ordered a temporary ban on the mobile game GoreBox following the school shooting in Tacloban City that left three students dead and 20 others injured.
In a statement on Tuesday, CICC Undersecretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso said the move was made as a precaution while authorities assess possible links between the online game and the suspect involved in the incident at San Jose National High School.
Initial findings from the police investigation indicated that one of the Grade 9 suspects was an active player of GoreBox, a sandbox-style game that features weapon use and graphic depictions of violence.
“We are blocking Gorebox temporarily as a precautionary measure pending the investigation. Within the day, expect the app to be blocked,” Paraiso said.
The CICC said it is coordinating with the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and its Threat Monitoring Center to monitor online platforms, including GoreBox and similar games, amid concerns over potential exposure of minors to violent content.
“We cannot ignore possible online influences that may have contributed to this tragic incident. Temporarily blocking the game will allow authorities to conduct a thorough assessment and determine whether the platform played any role in the actions of the suspects,” Paraiso said.
He also urged the public to report cyberbullying and other online threats through the CICC hotline 1326 or via email at report@cicc.gov.ph.
Launched in 2023, GoreBox is available on Android and PC via Steam and is described by its developer as a “physics-driven sandbox game where creativity meets unrestrained destruction.”
The move comes as government officials have previously signaled openness to reviewing possible regulations on violent online content, particularly those accessible to minors.
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