Remulla: Video games led Tacloban, Zamboanga shooters to ‘rabbit hole’

August 27, 2026 - 22:20

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has pointed to violent video games as a contributing factor in two separate, fatal shooting incidents that occurred in Tacloban City and Zamboanga City. Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that the perpetrators were allegedly led down a "rabbit hole" by their gaming habits, which he believes desensitized them to real-world violence.

Speaking to reporters, Remulla explained that the suspects in both cases showed a pattern of behavior consistent with prolonged exposure to graphic content. He described the phenomenon as a gradual descent into a mindset where the line between virtual simulation and reality becomes blurred. The Secretary emphasized that this is not a simple case of cause and effect, but rather a dangerous psychological spiral that can be triggered by immersive and unregulated gaming environments.

The DILG chief did not provide specific titles of the games involved but stressed that the common denominator in the two investigations was the suspects' deep involvement in online gaming communities. He called for a broader national conversation about media literacy and parental supervision, suggesting that while not all gamers are violent, the potential for harm exists when vulnerable individuals lose themselves in these digital worlds. The police are continuing their probe into both incidents, with the Secretary's remarks adding a new layer to the ongoing public debate about entertainment and its influence on behavior.