Casino Billionaire Arrested At NAIA

Even if the courts allegedly returned Japanese gaming billionaire Kazuo Okada back to Okada Manila, his troubles are far from over.

Okada was arrested by Philippine police on Monday in connection with the grave coercion cases filed against him by Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc. (TRLEI) board members James Lorenzana, Hajime Tokuda, and Michiake Satate.

According to a statement issued by Universal Entertainment Group, the parent company of Tiger Resorts, which operates Okada Manila.

Okada was apprehended by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Security Group at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1 shortly after landing from Haneda, Japan at 5:40 a.m. According to a separate police report, this occurred on October 17.

He was eventually released after posting P12,000 in bail.

According to the statement, Okada is facing accusations for grave coercion in connection with his camp’s seizure of the integrated casino resort Okada Manila last May.

Okada and others “stormed Okada Manila on May 31, 2022, bringing in no fewer than 50 armed men and officials to physically take over the integrated casino hotel,” according to the Universal Entertainment Group.

According to Universal, Okada’s “cohorts” who were also facing grave coercion accusations were Antonio “Tonyboy” Cojuangco, Dindo Espeleta, and lawyer Florentino “Binky” Herrera.

On October 11, the Metropolitan Trial Court of Paraaque Branch 90 and Branch 91 issued arrest warrants for Okada.

Okada, for his part, indicated in a statement released by his team that he was committed to prosecute his legal struggle in the Philippines.

“Despite multiple warnings from my lawyers that I would be imprisoned by authorities, I insisted on returning to the Philippines.” “I want to demonstrate to the Filipino people and the rest of the world that I am not afraid,” he stated.

He emphasized that he is “on the right side of the law” and that he will not back down from his legal battle.

Okada is the founding chairman of Okada Manila, a Paraaque integrated casino resort.

The casino resort is presently at the center of a conflict between two competing parties, led by Okada, and led by Tokuda.

Okada was previously restored as the chairman and CEO of Okada Manila.

Okada returned to the corporation last May after the Supreme Court gave an injunction, years after he was fired in 2017.

Okada, commonly known as the pachinko king, lost control of his businesses, including Okada Manila, in 2017 after his children turned against him due to fraud claims.

Credits to Ralph Edwin Villanueva, Rudy Santos