Sen. Bam Aquino opposed calls to ban violent video games after the school shooting in Tacloban City, saying games should not be blamed every time a violent incident happens.
Aquino said studies have not shown a clear link between video games and school shootings. He said video games, like movies and other forms of entertainment, do not automatically make people violent.
“Mas maraming studies na ginawa na nagsasabing walang correlation between video games and school shooting,” said Aquino, chair of the Committees on Basic Education and Science and Technology. “Magpi-50 years na rin iyong mga video games, pero it’s always a convenient scapegoat sa tuwing may nangyayaring insidente ng karahasan.”
His statement came after Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was open to proposals that could restrict or ban violent online games because of concerns about their possible effect on minors.
Instead of banning all video games, Aquino said the government should focus on making sure children cannot easily access games meant for adults. He said some games are not suitable for children and should have stricter age checks, similar to how movies and television programs are rated.
“Maraming games na hindi pang-bata. Maybe what we can clarify is kung meron man mas maging strikto, dapat mas istrikto iyong access ng mga bata sa mga mature video games,” Aquino said. “Dapat sa mga video game stores and online stores, medyo mas strikto rin yung ating rules pagdating sa mga bata at iyong pag-access nila sa mga mature video games. Pero banning video games in general or as a whole, I don’t think that’s a good solution to our problems.”
The issue gained attention after the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) temporarily blocked access to GoreBox, a game mentioned in reports involving one of the suspects in the Tacloban shooting.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros also wanted the developer of GoreBox to attend a Senate inquiry, but the Felix Filip declined and pointed out that the game already carries an 18+ rating. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla also called for a ban on violent video games following the Tacloban school shooting, while the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) noted the need to review policies on school safety and online content.
Aquino also reminded parents to monitor the games their children play and make sure they are appropriate for their age.
He added that game developers and online platforms should do more to protect young users from harmful people online, including predators and groups that may influence children negatively.
“Dahil pang-bata iyan, iyong developers mayroong silang responsibility na ma-monitor, ma-check at ma-ban iyong mga predators o iyong mga tao doon na may masasamang balak,” he said.
