The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has temporarily blocked access to the online gaming application GoreBox following the deadly school shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City that left three students dead and 20 others injured.
The decision came after initial police investigations revealed that one of the Grade 9 students allegedly involved in the shooting was a regular player of the game, which is known for its graphic depictions of violence and allows users to simulate combat scenarios using various weapons.
Police Regional Office 8 Director PBGen. Jayson Capoy earlier confirmed that one of the students frequently played GoreBox, prompting authorities to examine whether online influences may have contributed to the tragic incident.
CICC Undersecretary Alexander Ramos “Aboy” Paraiso said the agency acted swiftly as a precautionary measure while authorities continue their investigation.
“We are blocking GoreBox temporarily as a precautionary measure pending the investigation. Within the day, expect the app to be blocked,” Paraiso said.
He emphasized that the temporary ban does not imply that the game was directly responsible for the shooting but is intended to allow authorities to conduct a thorough assessment.
“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 whether the platform played any role in the actions of the suspects,” he added.
The CICC, through its Threat Monitoring Center (TMC), has also intensified monitoring of online activities related to GoreBox and other similar platforms in coordination with the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC).
First launched in 2023, GoreBox describes itself as “a physics-driven sandbox game where creativity meets unrestrained destruction.” The game has gained popularity among younger users for its open-world gameplay and realistic violence mechanics.
Paraiso said authorities are expanding surveillance efforts to better understand the digital environments frequented by minors.
“Among other applications, we will be conducting strict monitoring to gain greater visibility into online activities involving GoreBox,” he said.
The CICC chief stressed that the agency’s response goes beyond the temporary suspension of the application and reflects growing concerns over the online safety of children.
“Our priority is the safety and well-being of Filipino children exposed to the internet. Beyond this temporary ban, we are reinforcing our monitoring efforts to identify online spaces that may pose risks to young users and to ensure that appropriate interventions are made immediately,” Paraiso said.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Tacloban school shooting while coordinating with various government agencies and stakeholders to determine whether any online factors played a role in the incident.
