FACT-CHECK: No ban on several mobile, PC games

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CLAIM: Lawmakers have recommended an immediate ban on “violent” games.
RATING: SATIRE

A satirical post went viral on social media claiming that an immediate ban had been imposed on popular mobile and PC games including Roblox, Mobile Legends, GTA V, and Valorant, among others.

Flagged Content: Facebook page “Malacañang Republic” posted a graphic with the label “news update” on June 27, 2026.

  • It contained text that read: “Games that are too violent should be banned forthwith according to LGU,” along with a list of numerous titles that also included games that do not seem to contain violent elements, like Candy Crush and 8 Ball Pool.
  • The card also bears a very small “satire” label on the bottom left corner.

Our Debunk: As of writing, there are no confirmed reports of a sweeping prohibition on video games in the Philippines due to their supposed “violent” content.

  • However, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center temporarily banned the game “GoreBox” on June 25 after investigators alleged that it might have played a role in the Tacloban school shooting.
  • The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros has set a committee hearing on July 1 to probe a school shooting incident that led to the death of three students.
  • With investigations underway, the legislature or any other branch or agency of government has yet to issue concrete recommendations for a wider ban.

Rewind: On June 22, two students opened fire at fellow classmates at a high school in Tacloban City, Leyte, leaving three dead and several others wounded.

  • Police investigators revealed to the news media that one of the assailants was an avid player of the R-18 online game GoreBox that featured violent themes.
  • On June 25, GoreBox’s German developer, Felix Filip, declined to attend the Senate committee hearing to investigate the possible role of video games in inciting violence towards children.
  • In his statement, as reported by the news media, Filip expressed his condolences to the victims of the shooting and stood by the game’s classification, saying: “GoreBox is classified 18+ and is not intended for, or directed at, minors.”

Why we’re fact-checking this: The post had garnered more than 121,000 reactions on Facebook as well as 13,700 comments and more than 100,000 shares.

  • It was widely shared among community pages and gaming enthusiast groups on the platform with many reposts seemingly oblivious to the satirical intent of the post.
  • Influencers who shared the post include former rugby player-turned-content creator Eric “Eruption” Tai, who reuploaded the photo in his public Facebook page, asking his followers if the post was true.
  • His reupload was shared more than 82,000 times.

Spot the fake: With the country grappling with another highly publicized case of violence, it is important to separate noise from facts, especially as investigations try to uncover the truth behind the incident and give justice to the victims.

  • Some actors may use this as an opportunity to divide the public and antagonize policymakers as they discuss what needs to be done to prevent such acts from happening again.
  • Another satirical post by the same Facebook page, “Malacañang Republic,” was previously fact-checked by PressOne.PH. Hurt Allauigan


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