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GOREBOX DEVELOPER DECLINES SENATE PROBE

admin June 29, 2026

THE Germany-based developer of Gorebox, the video game linked by authorities to the Tacloban school shooting investigation, has declined to attend the July 1 hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who chairs the committee, said she will seek the help of the German Embassy in the Philippines to facilitate the participation of developer Felix Filip in the Senate inquiry.

“Nakakadismaya na pinili ni Mr. Filip na huwag dumalo sa darating na hearing namin lalo na’t marami sana akong gustong malaman mula sa kanya mismo,” Hontiveros said.

“My committee remains open to facilitate his attendance and participation in our investigation in case he changes his mind. Hindi dito nagtatapos ang aming pagnanais na marinig siya,” she added.

Filip, who identified himself as a Germany-based independent game developer, informed the Committee Secretariat through email that he would not attend the hearing, either in person or through Zoom.

Hontiveros, who chairs the panel, was hoping to directly ask Felix Filip about the Gorebox’s guardrails, especially its age safeguards, content moderation, and possible exposure of young users to harmful online communities or behavior.

The senator also emphasized the issue goes beyond one developer or one game, but about setting a clear standard.

Hontiveros warns that foreign-based developers and online platforms cannot be allowed to freely operate in the Philippines while evading accountability on serious child safety concerns.

“Any developer or online company that wants to operate here, profit from Filipino users, and reach Filipino children must respect our laws and our institutions. This should be the bare minimum for them to do business here. Kung ayaw nilang kilalanin, mananagot rin sila,” Hontiveros said.

On July 1, the Senate hopes to examine the broader chain of failures that may have contributed to the June 22 shooting, including possible grooming, radicalization, and normalization of violence in online platforms.

“Hindi natin sinasabing isang laro lang ang dahilan ng trahedyang ito. Pero kung may online environment na maaaring naging bahagi ng pagkakalantad ng mga bata sa karahasan, tungkulin nating siyasatin iyon,” Hontiveros said.