POLICE have intensified the crackdown on scalpers of basketball tickets ahead of the much-anticipated Game 2 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. (UAAP) championship between the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons and the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Wednesday afternoon at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
Director Guillermo Eleazar, head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said he had already intensified the intelligence operations and police presence in Cubao area as part of the crackdown on ticket scalpers.
“The scalper syndicate controls the tickets, and release these through their crooked salesmen at prices at least ten times the real value leaving the students at their mercy. Pitiful,” said Eleazar.
“We will catch and arrest these scalpers wherever this series goes. I pity the students who want to enjoy a good basketball game and cheer for their school.”
During last Saturday’s game opener, police have arrested a total of nine ticket scalpers while in the act of selling tickets which is more than triple of the original price.
The NCRPO Regional Special Operations Unit (RSOU) was also able to arrest eight more scalpers in front of Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City.
A total of 17 ticket scalpers were arrested on Saturday. They were immediately charged.
For today’s (Wednesday) game, Eleazar said he had already alerted the Quezon City Police District to have a crackdown on ticket scalpers.
“I have advised the QCPD on this matter and the QCPD will strictly enforce the anti-scalping ordinance during Wednesday’s game in Araneta Coliseum. That is why my advice to the unscrupulous people behind this scalping is to stop their rotten agenda,” said Eleazar.
“Let the tickets flow freely and regularly in the market. If you insist on continuing this abuse, we will trace you, arrest you and put a blemish on your record,” he added.
The arrested scalpers were selling VIP tickets originally priced P450 at P3,000 each; the Lower Box tickets with a regular price of P350 are being sold P1,500; the Upper Box tickets worth P200 are being sold for P1,000.00; the General Admission tickets priced at P75 and P50 are being sold at P750 and P500.
The Upper Box 417 Coral tickets intended as complimentary pass is being sold at P750. (Aaron Recuenco)
