The initial findings presented at a Senate hearing on Wednesday have raised concerns that the June 22 school shooting in Tacloban City may have been influenced by an online extremist network.
Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” N. Hontiveros-Baraquel stated that there were indications that the shooting had been influenced by a group known as ‘764,’ which targets vulnerable children and encourages them to commit violent acts.
The senator emphasized that the issue is not about video games or the gaming community, but rather the dangers that children may face while playing and communicating online.
She clarified that she had never called for a blanket ban on video games, and that the case suggests the attack may have stemmed from online grooming by adults rather than from video games alone.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go urged lawmakers not to portray online gaming as the cause of youth violence, and instead advocated for stronger policies on youth mental health, responsible gaming, and parental guidance to prevent extremist groups from exploiting online platforms.
The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group's deputy director for administration, Richmond L. Tadina, revealed that recruiters promoting nihilistic violent extremism often identify vulnerable children through online games before moving conversations to encrypted messaging platforms.
He stated that police had rescued 24 minors from nihilistic violent extremism grooming operations since October 2025, and that the minors who were rescued were all exposed to a game called GoreBox.
GoreBox developer Felix Filip previously declined the committee’s invitation to attend the hearing, citing that the game is rated for adults aged 18 and above and is not intended for minors.
The Tacloban shooting killed three students and injured more than 20 others, and police investigators have stated that the two suspects, aged 14 and 15, regularly played GoreBox.
A mother, Jennelyn Badoria, whose child was among those killed, urged lawmakers to review the country’s age of criminal responsibility, which is set at 15 unless a child below that age is proven to have acted with discernment.
