Okada camp confident grave coercion charges will be thrown out

PHOTO: REUTERS/INQUIRER.net

The group of Japanese gaming tycoon Kazuo Okada is confident the grave coercion charges against them will be dismissed like the other cases filed in connection with the forcible takeover of the Okada Manila casino complex last May.

Okada, businessman Antonio “Tonyboy” Cojuangco, Dindo Espeleta and laywer Florentino Herrera III pleaded not guilty during the arraignment proceedings on Friday in the Metropolitan Trial Court of Parañaque City.

“Kazuo Okada and his group reiterate that they will face the allegation in a just and very honest way and fight until full justice is obtained,” Rico Quicho, Kazuo Okada’s official spokesperson, said in a statement.

“The group remains confident that these grave coercion cases will be dismissed for utter failure of the prosecution to prove its charges with the quantum of evidence required in criminal cases, which is proof beyond reasonable doubt,” he added.

Quicho claimed the remaining charges would be dismissed, similar to the other cases filed by Okada Manila operator Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc. (TRLEI), which retook control of the $2-billion Manila Bay casino last September.

The six other charges of kidnapping, unjust vexation, falsification of public documents, direct assault, slight physical injuries and serious illegal detention were earlier dismissed by the Department of Justice legal panel.

Rightful owner

Okada Manila, the only Japanese-owned casino in the world, is part of a broader international legal battle Okada had waged against his family for control of the sprawling business empire.

TRLEI earlier said Cojuangco, Espeleta, Florencio Herrera III led dozens of armed bodyguards to force out TRLEI executives and take physical control of Okada Manila last May 31.

The court proceedings came in the wake of Okada’s arrest last Oct. 17 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.

Okada had arrived in an early morning flight from Haneda Airport in Japan before he was arrested by local police.

In a statement after his arrest, Okada said he returned to the country to fight the charges against him and his associates.

“In the end I will be able to prove that I am the rightful and beneficial owner of Okada Manila. I am confident that the legal process within the Philippine courts system will vindicate us in all the cases filed against me and my business associates,” Okada said after posting bail. INQ