Senator Bam Aquino pushed back against proposals to ban video games in the Philippines, saying it’s not the right fix for youth violence. Instead, he wants stricter access rules for minors, covering both physical stores and online platforms.
Aquino explained that banning games outright won’t solve the problem. He pointed to studies showing no direct link between video games and school shootings, adding that games have been around for decades and often end up as a “convenient scapegoat” whenever violent incidents happen.
His comments came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was open to banning violent games. Aquino countered that the better move is to enforce age restrictions and make sure parents and retailers are more accountable for monitoring access.
Also Read: GoreBox temporarily banned after Tacloban school shooting
The Tacloban tragedy on June 22, which left three students dead and 20 injured, has reignited calls to ban online games. In response, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) temporarily banned the violent sandbox game GoreBox, citing its link to one of the suspects.
The incident has intensified the debate, with Aquino’s stance pushing lawmakers to consider tighter access controls instead of blanket bans.
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Featured photo: Senator Bam Aquino Facebook page
