Bam Aquino backs School Safety Bill over Video Game Ban

Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV has rejected calls for a blanket ban on video games following the deadly shooting at a high school in Tacloban City, saying there is no proven link between video games and school violence.

Aquino, who chairs the Senate Committees on Basic Education and Science and Technology, said many studies have found no direct connection between playing video games and incidents of school shootings. He said video games have existed for nearly 50 years and are often blamed whenever violent incidents happen.

The statement came after two minors, aged 14 and 15, opened fire inside San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on Monday. The attack left three people dead and 20 others injured.

Police earlier said one of the suspects was an avid player of GoreBox, a physics-based sandbox game known for its graphic violence. Following the incident, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) suspended access to the game while authorities continue their investigation.

Instead of banning video games, Aquino urged lawmakers to prioritize the proposed School Safety Act. The measure seeks to improve campus security through the installation of additional CCTV cameras, deployment of more barangay and security personnel, and regular Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings focused on school safety and violence prevention.

Aquino also said game developers should do more to monitor their platforms, especially those with younger users. He stressed that developers have a responsibility to detect, monitor, and remove users who may use online games to target or harm children.