The Germany-based developer of GoreBox has declined to appear before a Senate inquiry into the fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Friday that Felix Filip informed the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality through email that he would not attend the July 1 hearing, either in person or through Zoom.
Hontiveros said Filip expressed condolences to the families of the victims but maintained that GoreBox was classified for users aged 18 and above and was not intended for minors.
His decision came a day after he communicated his cooperation with Philippine authorities and respond to legitimate requests related to the investigation.
Hontiveros said she was disappointed by Filip’s refusal to attend, noting that the committee wanted to question him directly on key concerns involving the game.
She said the panel was prepared to seek assistance from the German Embassy in the Philippines should Filip reconsider and agree to take part in the proceedings.
The committee is expected to examine GoreBox’s safeguards, age restrictions, content moderation practices, and the possible exposure of young users to harmful online communities or violent behavior.
The July 1 hearing will look into factors that may have contributed to the June 22 shooting, including possible grooming, radicalization, and the normalization of violence online. Three students were killed and at least 20 others were wounded, while authorities continued to investigate whether the two minor suspects were influenced by GoreBox and other online content.