THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has sought the help of the Quezon City Police District–District Special Operations Unit in conducting an entrapment operation against three individuals who were illegally selling complimentary Metro Manila Film Festival tickets.

A total of 46 fake tickets were sold illegally through Facebook online selling at P1,300 to P1,500 each which prompted the police to conduct an entrapment operation last December 14 resulting in the apprehension of the first suspect who eventually revealed his cohort. Forty counterfeit tickets were intercepted from the arrested suspects.

During the interrogation, the two revealed their source of the MMFF tickets who was also apprehended later.

“As the MMDA Chairman and concurrent overall MMFF Chairman, I strongly condemn the acts of these enterprising individuals who are using the Metro Manila Film Festival as a business venture by selling fake complimentary tickets,” Atty. Don Artes said.

“These passes are strictly not for sale and no persons or groups are authorized to distribute them for sales or any profiteering purposes,” he added

The three suspects have already undergone inquest procedure and will be charged with Estafa through Falsification of Public Documents in relation to R.A 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

“With this unfortunate incident, I urge the public not to patronize MMFF tickets sold online and instead report to us these unlawful activities. Anyone who will be caught selling or buying complimentary tickets shall be sanctioned in accordance with the law,” said Atty. Artes.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Edd Reyes