SENATOR Bam Aquino rejected Malacañang’s openness to restricting or banning violent video games following the school shooting in Tacloban City, saying video games have long been used as a convenient scapegoat whenever incidents of violence occur.

Aquino stressed that numerous studies have found no correlation between video games and school shootings, adding that video games, as a form of art and entertainment, do not cause violent behavior.

“Mas maraming studies na ginawa na nagsasabing walang correlation between video games and school shooting,” said Aquino, chairperson 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,” he added.

Instead of imposing a blanket ban, Aquino called for stricter enforcement of age restrictions on mature-rated games, similar to regulations governing films and television programs.

“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 iyong ating rules pagdating sa mga bata at sa 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,” he added.

Aquino also emphasized that parents play a vital role in monitoring the games their children play and ensuring they are exposed only to age-appropriate content.

He likewise said game developers have a responsibility to make online gaming platforms safer, particularly those designed for children, by strengthening safeguards against online predators, extremist groups, and other harmful individuals.

“Dahil pang-bata iyan, iyong developers may responsibilidad na ma-monitor, ma-check at ma-ban iyong mga predators o iyong mga tao doon na may masasamang balak,” he said.

Aquino is also pushing for the passage of his proposed School Safety Act to strengthen the protection of students, teachers, and other school personnel in the wake of the Tacloban City school shooting, which left three students dead and 20 others wounded.

Among his initial proposals are the installation of additional CCTV cameras, the deployment of more barangay tanods and security personnel, and the holding of regular Parent-Teacher Association meetings to discuss school safety concerns and other preventive measures.