Nine scalpers of UAAP tickets nabbed in Pasay

(Eagle News)—Nine scalpers were arrested in Pasay on Saturday, Dec. 1, after they allegedly sold tickets of the first game between the University of the Philippines and Ateneo at exorbitant prices.

Arrested were Alfredo Molina, Edgardo Lacap IV, Antonio Borja, and Rex Peral from Pasay; Michael Diño from San Pedro, Laguna; Jhon Randell Guison from Leveriza St., Manila; Alex Viñas from Parañaque City; Billy Jon Alturas from Singalong St., Manila; and Alberto Manarang from Caloocan.

The police said they were arrested in the Mall of Asia arena vicinity where the game was being held.

According to the police, the suspects were selling VIP tickets originally worth P450 for P3,000, the lower box standing-room-only (SRO) tickets originally priced at P350 for P1,500, and upper box tickets originally worth P200 for P1,000.

General admission tickets originally worth P75 was being sold for P750, while the others worth P50 for P500.

The upper box tickets that were supposed to be complimentary tickets were being sold for P750.

“Most of the people who will attend the games are students. It’s such a pity if students will have to pay 10 to 20 times the ticket value to watch, considering they live on measly allowances,” National Capital Region Police Office director Guillermo Eleazar said in a statement.

“We will arrest scalpers anywhere this series goes. We may even get the masterminds. So I am warning these opportunists, these syndicates, stop because we will get you,” he added.