MANILA, Philippines - A 25-year-old man was arrested by the Manila Police District and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday for selling online fake complimentary passes to this year’s 39th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the suspect, whose identity has been temporarily withheld so as not to jeopardize follow-up operations, was arrested in an entrapment operation at a restaurant in Manila.
Tolentino said the fake MMFF passes bear the same serial numbers as genuine ones. Tolentino added the MMDA is closely working with the police in identifying the source of the forged passes.
Tolentino said he has ordered an extensive investigation to unmask the masterminds behind the big-time forgery of MMFF passes.
“This is not something to be taken for granted. We have to arrest the people behind this scheme and charge them in court,†he said.
Tolentino said all MMFF complimentary passes “that have been issued previously are cancelled.â€
He said the suspect claims that he was paid to sell the fake MMFF passes online. The fake passes were advertised at www.sulit.com and were offered at P800 each, the MMDA said.
According to the MMDA, the suspect has agreed to cooperate with the MMDA as he is also now facing falsification charges.
With the discovery of the forgery, Tolentino said the MMDA will now be printing out new designs of the complimentary passes with more security features.