GoreBox developer Felix Filip has declined to attend the Philippine Senate inquiry into the Tacloban school shooting, forcing Senator Risa Hontiveros to seek help from the German Embassy. Filip, who is based in Germany, informed the Senate panel he would not join the July 1 hearing, either in person or online.
The Senate wanted to question Filip about GoreBox’s safeguards, including age restrictions, content moderation, and risks of exposing young players to harmful communities.
One suspect in the June 22 Tacloban school shooting was reportedly an avid GoreBox player, which led the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center to issue a temporary ban on the game.
Hontiveros expressed disappointment over Filip’s refusal, stressing that the inquiry is not about blaming one game alone. The Senate aims to examine whether online platforms contribute to violent behavior among minors.
The July 1 hearing will also cover issues such as grooming, radicalization, and the normalization of violence in digital spaces.
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The Senate investigation will continue with or without Filip’s participation, with Hontiveros pushing for diplomatic channels to ensure accountability.
