Aquino argues against banning games amid school incidents, pushing for stricter age restrictions

Neena Mae Rayos, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
June 29, 2026

(Photo Courtesy: Bam Aquino | FB)

PHILIPPINES – Senator Bam Aquino is countering the push to ban violent video games. He called the industry a “convenient scapegoat” rather than the culprit itself.

Despite recent fatal incidents involving minors at three different schools prompting calls—some echoed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—to restrict such games, Aquino insists that decades of research show no link between gaming and school shootings.

“Video games have been around for 50 years,” he stated during a senate hearing on Monday, “they’re always a convenient scapegoat whenever there’s an incident of violence.”

Rather than banning games, which he describes as a vital “art form and entertainment medium,” Aquino is advocating for a more targeted approach: stricter enforcement of age restrictions.

He argued that current rules for mature content need to be as strict in video game stores and online platforms as they are for movies and TV.

“There are many games that are not for children,” Aquino said, urging developers to ensure the safety of online gaming environments to protect young players from online predators and other harmful individuals.