Philippines temporarily blocks GoreBox after school shooting

Philippine authorities have ordered the temporary blocking of the online game GoreBox as part of the investigation into a deadly school shooting in Tacloban City that left three students dead and at least 20 others wounded. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) announced the precautionary measure on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, after police found one of the teenage suspects had been an avid user of the violent game prior to the attack.

The shooting occurred on Monday, June 22, at San Jose National High School in central Tacloban. Two suspects, aged 14 and 15, each armed with a handgun, opened fire on campus. Police said the weapons, a 9mm pistol and a .38 caliber revolver, were obtained from a police officer relative and a security agency employee, respectively. Investigators recovered at least 40 shell casings at the scene.

CICC Undersecretary Alexander Aboy Paraiso stated the agency could not ignore possible online influences that may have contributed to the tragic incident. He emphasized that the temporary block, which took effect Tuesday, is not a final determination of the game's role but will allow authorities to assess whether the platform played any part...