Eastern Visayas Police Director Brigadier General Jason Capoy revealed on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, that the 14-year-old suspect in the Tacloban City school shooting was addicted to the violent online game "GoreBox." The game, described as similar to Roblox but with shooting elements, involves firearms and violent content.
"Yes, just like the Roblox may laro, may shooting. Shooting din, mga ganung firearms. Medyo bayolente po 'yung laro. As per information, 'yung 14 years old lang po ang naano natin na naglalaro doon," Capoy said.
Casualties and Weapons Used
Three students were killed and 20 others wounded when two minor suspects, aged 14 and 15, opened fire at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on Monday, June 22. The 14-year-old suspect used a service firearm issued to his aunt, who is a police officer. The other suspect used a .38-caliber revolver believed to belong to his grandfather, a former security guard.
"Doon sa .9mm Glock, 'yung 40 empty shells doon nanggaling kasi as per record isang beses lang naiputok 'yung revolver. Narecover natin with intact live five ammunition doon sa revolver, isa lang naiputok," Capoy explained.
Planning and Familiarity with Firearms
Capoy stated that the suspects had been planning the crime for over a month, confirming screenshots of their exchanged messages. The 14-year-old had been taken to a shooting range before and knew how to manipulate the magazine and reload the firearm. "Actually, at one point in time, nadala daw kasi ito (14 years old) sa shooting range. Hindi naman siya ganun kagaling or kabihasa but alam niya paano i-manipulate 'yung pag-release ng magazine, pag-reload," he added.
Juvenile Justice Law Implications
Based on their conversations, the minors studied Republic Act 9344, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, which protects children who commit crimes. Under the law, children aged 15 and below cannot be imprisoned, while those aged 15 to 18 may not be charged unless proven to have acted with discernment. Instead of court trials, they may undergo rehabilitation programs without a criminal record.
The conversations also showed that the 14-year-old was more aggressive in the shooting plan than the 15-year-old. Capoy noted that the 15-year-old verified if their target was present before the attack, but when the target was not found, they proceeded to fire indiscriminately through windows.
Bullying as Possible Motive
Police are investigating bullying as a possible motive. "'Yung sa side ng bullying, tinitingnan natin ano kasi base doon sa isang witness, pagdating nila dito sa dulo ng corridor, ito si age 15, ito 'yung nag verify kung nandun 'yung target nila. However, negative daw doon 'yung hinahanap nila, so bumalik, so para silang nag-tactical movement papunta doon sa whole stretch ng corridor at basta-basta na lang pumutok doon sa windows," Capoy said.
"May isa tayo nainterview isa sa victim, witness na kaibigan din ng dalawa. Madalas daw kasi nakakantiyawan ito sa facial features 'yung 14 years old nung mga ibang kabataan kaya siguro kung bullying man ang tawag nun, baka yun na nga," he added.
Police Aunt in Custody
The police aunt of the 14-year-old suspect has been placed in restrictive custody while the investigation continues into her alleged failure to properly secure her service firearm.
