Japanese tycoon Kazuo Okada arrested in Naia for grave coercion

Universal Entertainment Corp’s founder Kazuo Okada. PHOTO FROM REUTERS/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Japanese gaming tycoon Kazuo Okada has been arrested for grave coercion upon his arrival in Manila, the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Unit (PNP-AVSEU) confirmed on Tuesday.

Police Colonel Cesar Gerente, chief of the PNP-AVSEU in Metro Manila, confirmed that Okada was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 at about 5:40 a.m. on Monday after he flew in from Tokyo, Japan.

“Nakapagpiyansa naman kaagad siya. […] Sabi ng abogado, hindi naman siya umiiwas. Basta umuwi lang siya para maayos lang ang kaso niya,” he told INQUIRER.net over the phone.

(He was able to post bail. His lawyers said he was not avoiding the charges. He came home to face this case.)

Citing a PNP-AVSEU report, Gerente said Okada was released from police custody at around 6:30 p.m. after he paid the recommended bail bond amounting to P12,000.

The Metropolitan Trial Court of Parañaque Branch 90 and Branch 91 issued warrants of arrest against the 80-year-old casino mogul on October 11.

The grave coercion charges faced by Okada and his business associates Antonio Cojuangco, Dindo Espeleta, and Florentino Herrera III stemmed from the recommendation of the Department of Justice in its recent resolution following the May 31 forcible takeover of the casino resort complex Okada Manila.

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