Roblox is once again in the spotlight. Ateneo de Zamboanga University was rocked after a 14‑year‑old student carried out a shooting and streamed it live with a chest‑mounted camera. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the attack may have been influenced by Roblox, pointing to similarities with first‑person shooter games. He clarified that Roblox itself is not harmful, but its chat groups can expose kids to radical ideas.
Investigators said the boy was a top student with no history of problems. Despite that, he managed to enter the campus armed, record the assault, and broadcast it online. Authorities are now checking his gadgets and the site used for the livestream to see how the plan was made.
This was not the first time online sandbox games were linked to violence. A school shooting in Tacloban earlier this year was tied to GoreBox, another violent sandbox game that was later banned by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).
Roblox has been on the government’s radar for some time. The game was almost banned last March 2026 due to child safety concerns and later placed on a three‑month probation in April.
The incident has sparked debate among parents and the public. Many are asking why a minor had access to high‑powered guns, while others warn that blaming video games oversimplifies deeper issues like gun safety and parental responsibility.
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Authorities continue their probe, looking at both online influences and lapses in firearm access. The case is expected to push for tighter digital safeguards and stricter gun control in the Philippines.
