Trigger warning: mentions of school-related violence
A law banning first-person shooter games has been called for by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla following the tragic shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU).
Photo: Roblox
In a Facebook post, Remulla recommended a total ban on the online game Roblox due to its dark and violent elements.
This is not the first time a government body has called for a ban on a game. In June 2026, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) issued a temporary ban on Gorebox following a fatal school shooting in Tacloban City.
Why are there calls for a total ban on Roblox?
A 14-year-old Grade 8 student opened fire at the ADZU Junior High School campus in Zamboanga City on August 18.
The tragic incident claimed the lives of two students, including the gunman himself, while two others were reportedly injured.
Following the fatal incident, affected students and school personnel are receiving medical care and psychosocial support.
This is the second reported mass shooting incident in the Philippines in 2026. On June 22, two minor suspects, aged 14 and 15, carried out a school shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City. It claimed the lives of three students and injured 20 others.
DILG’s side
Following the two school shooting incidents in the Philippines, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla suggested banning Roblox as investigators continue to determine whether the shooter had been exposed to online games.
“Ang Roblox lang kasi ang particular na mayroon siyang link sa dark web,” the DILG secretary said during a press conference.
The secretary also called for stricter implementation of the Gun Control Law and tighter regulation of firearms in the country.
However, he admitted that a total ban is not the only solution and said that the government would continue to explore other options.
Game developers’ side
The Filipino Roblox Developers Association (FRDA) opposed the calls for a total ban following Remulla’s statement, saying that authorities should impose more specific and targeted measures instead.
“We’ve been advocating for a more targeted approach to child safety: identify where the actual risk exists, strengthen the safeguards there, and take action against the people and systems enabling harm rather than shutting down the entire platform,” FRDA wrote in a Facebook post.
FRDA disputed the claim that the perpetrator, who reportedly recorded the attack, may have copied a first-person shooter game that can be traced to Roblox.
The association also stressed that many users who are not engaging in criminal acts would be affected by the total ban if it were to be implemented.
Similarly, Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) President Ria Lu said in a Senate committee that there should be more accessible information available on existing parental controls when it comes to online gaming.
“When I say education, it’s both on the side of the parents and children… I’d like to propose this idea, if possible, to actually implement classes or subjects inside elementary and high school children on how to navigate the digital world,” Ria said.
“One of the weird things that we have right now is we assume that our children know how to deal with themselves in the digital world. But sometimes, we really just need somebody to tell them na ‘If meron ganitong klaseng people, if they suddenly ask you about these things, wag ha,'” she added. “It would probably easier if there’s a structured approach.”
As described on Google Play, Roblox is a high-octane game where players can “battle it out in hardcore tactical shooters or put your survival skills to the test in unpredictable environments.”
With this, players can experiment and create their own avatars and virtual worlds, including simulated combat experiences, obstacle courses, and other interactive activities. The game is rated 12+, with parental guidance recommended.
“Do our children know how to be good digital citizens? To protect themselves from bad actors, so they themselves don’t become the bad actors… How can we get people to know, to really understand this new world that we are in? Para it’s easier for us to protect ourselves and our children,” she emphasized.
ALSO READ: Mobile Game Banned After the Tacloban School Shooting—What’s in it?
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