‘Extremely violent’ gaming app banned in Philippines after deadly school shooting

• A school shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban city, Philippines, resulted in the deaths of three students and injuries to 20 others earlier this week.
• Two teenagers, aged 14 and 15, were arrested in connection with the attack; the 15-year-old faces murder charges, while the 14-year-old is too young to be charged under Philippine law.
• Philippine authorities blocked the online gaming app "Gorebox," which allows players to "obliterate anything they desire" and engage in "brutal combat,” after a preliminary investigation suggested the 14-year-old suspect was heavily influenced by online content.
• The game, which can be played solo or with multiple fellow players, carries an international age rating of 18 due to the extreme violence and explicit and unrestrictive gameplay.
• President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered an investigation into potential online influences, while Philippine senators are continuing an inquiry into how online violence impacts children, amid government concerns about preventing similar incidents.

IN FULL

Brutal Minecraft-style game banned in Philippines after police say it was school shooting suspect’s favourite