Thrilla’ in Manila: Kazuo Okada’s rivals attempt to retake Okada Manila
The Okada Manila is at the centre of a storm once again, as rival parties attempted to reclaim the casino from Japanese mogul Kazuo Okada.
Videos have emerged on social media detailing chaotic scuffles, as 50 people posing as casino employees stormed the casino in a bid to reclaim it.
PAGCOR members were part of the 50 that stormed the resort, which was led by a member of the deposed (by Okada) Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment (TRLEI) Board – who have now deferred to Tiger Resorts Asia (TRAL), TRLEI’s parent company. The group members were accompanied by the Philippine National Police.
This development comes following PAGCOR’s release of a cease-and-desist order for Okada Manila’s current management (Okada and co), after it finalised a directive for Okada’s TRLEI Board members to be discharged from their functions as casino operators.
Earlier, the Philippine state operator-come-regulator had ordered Okada’s TRLEI Board to cease the distribution of funds from the casino’s gaming cage, which it did not do.
However, ever since he retook the casino, Okada has been protected by a Status Quo Ante Order (SQAO) handed to him by the Supreme Court of the Philippines. The SQAO states that he should be reinstated as CEO and Chairman of TRLEI.
However, PAGCOR has said that unless Okada and co can present “a valid authority” to back up statements made by the SQAO, it should not stand.
PAGCOR’s stance on Okada’s SQAO was also reaffirmed in an opinion issued by the Philippines’ Department of Justice secretary just yesterday (1 September 2022).
Per the latest update, Okada’s security personnel have barricaded themselves in the basement car park that leads to the casino entrance.
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