MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is open to banning violent online games and reviewing the minimum age of criminal responsibility following the deadly shooting at a public high school in Tacloban City that left three people dead and 20 others injured, Malacañang said.
The proposals gained traction as authorities continue investigating the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School, where two minors aged 14 and 15 were implicated. The incident has reignited national debate on juvenile accountability and the possible influence of violent online content on young offenders.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President is receptive to legislative measures that would restrict minors’ access to violent online games, particularly after reports that one of the suspects frequently played a violent online game now under government scrutiny.
“Napag-usapan po na ‘yung mga ganoong klaseng app ay dapat na ma-ban sa Pilipinas. So maganda pong mungkahi iyan at sana makagawa agad ng batas at open ang Pangulo sa ganyang mga panukala,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
Castro said lawmakers may soon examine possible restrictions on violent online content as part of broader efforts to prevent similar incidents.
The issue emerged after the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) ordered the temporary blocking of the online game GoreBox while authorities assess its possible connection to the Tacloban attack.
The CICC clarified that the move was precautionary and based on initial police findings indicating that one of the suspects regularly played the game. Authorities stressed, however, that investigators have not established a direct link between the game and the shooting and that the investigation remains ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) renewed its support for lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 12 years old, citing the increasing number of children involved in criminal offenses.
“The PNP is supporting the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility,” PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co said. “We are thinking 12 years old.”
Co emphasized that authorities would still determine whether a child acted with discernment before criminal liability could be imposed.
Castro described the proposal as “reasonable” and said President Marcos would carefully evaluate any measure approved by Congress.
She added that the President is open to amending the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act if the changes would strengthen law enforcement while continuing to protect the rights and welfare of minors.
Castro also expressed concern over the implementation of existing intervention programs, saying some young offenders may mistakenly believe they are immune from legal consequences because of their age.
The Tacloban school shooting has intensified calls for reforms in both online content regulation and juvenile justice laws as authorities seek measures to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in schools. Investigations into the incident remain ongoing./PN
