The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has stated that it does not support proposals to ban violent movies and television programs in response to a series of recent violent incidents involving minors in the Philippines. Instead, the agency is calling for heightened supervision of children by parents and educators.

In a statement released to the press, the MTRCB said it "believes that banning movies and television programs with violent themes is not the appropriate solution, as this could infringe upon the constitutional right of Filipino creatives to freedom of expression and creation."

The board is instead urging "the active participation of parents and educators in ensuring that children are properly and adequately supervised while watching TV shows or movies, or while viewing content on social media platforms. This is so that children properly understand the context of what they are watching, while allowing parents and guardians to further instill Filipino values and culture in their children."

The agency added that it "considers the protection of Filipino children from harmful content as a shared duty of the government, parents, educators, media practitioners, digital influencers, and stakeholders from the film and TV industry."

Under its mandate established by Presidential Decree No. 1986, the MTRCB is tasked with assigning age-appropriate classifications to movies and television shows while supporting the growth of the entertainment industry. The agency said it "actively partners with stakeholders in the movie and TV industry in ensuring that Filipino cultural values are upheld and respected" while simultaneously "advocating for a culture of authentic, responsible self-regulation." The classification-based approach mirrors that of many countries worldwide, where content rating systems are generally preferred over outright bans as a means of balancing child protection with creative freedom.

The MTRCB's position follows remarks by Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., who said during a press briefing on Aug. 3 that authorities may recommend banning "excessively violent" TV shows and restricting violent content on social media platforms as part of measures to address the increasing number of violent incidents involving minors.

"Maybe we can recommend banning movies and TV shows with a lot of violence. We can make a similar recommendation for social media apps and other solutions. It is not only limited to that," Gen. Nartatez said.

The debate has been intensified by several recent incidents. On June 22, a mass shooting occurred at a high school in Tacloban City, Leyte, where two young teenagers opened fire, killing three students and wounding more than 20 others. Multiple stabbings have also been reported, the most recent taking place in Las Piñas, where a 13-year-old Grade 9 student was killed by a 14-year-old classmate. The incidents have prompted broader public discussion in the Philippines about the factors contributing to youth violence, with media consumption being one of several areas under scrutiny alongside questions of school security, access to weapons, and mental health support for minors.