Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 21) — Authorities have arrested three people for illegally selling complimentary tickets for the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
The three were arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Quezon City Police District.
In a statement, the MMDA said 46 tickets were sold illegally through Facebook at ₱1,300 to ₱1,500 each – more than thrice the usual cinema ticket price of ₱320 to ₱370.
It added that the complimentary tickets being sold online were found to be fake.
MMDA Chairman Don Artes reminded the public that no persons or groups are authorized to distribute MMFF tickets for profiteering purposes.
“With this unfortunate incident, I urge the public not to patronize MMFF tickets sold online and instead report to us these unlawful activities,” he said.
The three suspects, who are currently in police custody, will face charges of estafa through falsification of documents under Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The 2023 edition of the MMFF premieres on Christmas Day and will run until Jan. 7, 2024 in hundreds of theaters nationwide.
