For duping passenger “Ticket scalper” nabbed

CEBU, Philippines - Port police arrested a man tagged as a “ticket scalper” who was caught selling reused tickets and at a bigger price at Pier 3, Barangay Tinago, last Wednesday night.

The “ticket scalper” was identified as Jaymar Duarte, who claimed to be working as a porter of Medallon Transport, a shipping company

The victim, Randy Paler, identified Duarte as the one who sold him the ticket, which was apparently already bought and used last Oct. 13, said Port Police investigator Insp. Mandy Majacoron.

Majacoron said Paler was one of the several passengers that flocked to Pier 3 Wednesday night to go home to Bato, Leyte, and spend the long weekend there.

Since it was peak season and tickets were quickly sold, Paler chose to buy a ticket from Duarte.

Duarte sold him the ticket for P400, when it originally would have amounted to P195 only, Majacoron said. Since the tickets were already sold out then, Duarte was forced to pay the amount and get the ticket from Duarte.

However, to his surprise, Paler was not allowed to get inside the terminal as his ticket was reportedly void.

The victim immediately reported the matter to the Port Police, whose office is located at Pier 3.

Acting on the report, Majacoron said they went out to search for Duarte at the vicinity of the pier area and eventually found him. They invited Duarte to their office where he was positively identified by Paler as the one who duped him.

Duarte returned the victim’s P400 and he was detained at the Port Police detention cell.

Majacoron said they will meet with the management of Medallon Transport to decide on the fate of the suspect.

Duarte’s arrest would also serve as a warning to other swindlers that the police will really go after them if they victimize the passengers, Majacoron said.

The police officer encouraged the public, especially passengers, to watch out for swindlers and buy tickets only from authorized ticketing agents to avoid being tricked.

He said there are many ticket scalpers at the port area so he further encouraged the public to report unscrupulous individuals. — (FREEMAN)