TENSION arose at the Okada Manila after more than 50 persons posing as employees and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), headed by a member of the ousted board and accompanied by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), stormed the casino hotel on Friday in an attempt to take over the facility.
This development came as Pagcor officials served a “cease and desist” order to the Okada Manila management directing the current elected board of Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment, Inc. (TRLEI) from discharging their functions in connection with casino operations.
The current TRLEI board was also ordered to cease from further disbursing funds in the Okada Manila cage and to vacate the gaming premises of the casino and its offices “unless they are able to present a valid authority” in accordance with Status Quo Ante Order (SQAO) issued by the Supreme Court last April 27, 2022 reinstating Japanese gaming tycoon Kazuo Okada as CEO and chairman.
The order was also based on an opinion issued by the Department of Justice (DoJ) secretary dated September 1.
A scuffle ensued when security personnel of Okada Manila barricaded themselves at the basement parking leading to the entrance.
Those who tried to storm the offices of Okada Manila wore white shirts and red caps. They were led by James Lorenzana, a former member of the ousted TRLEI board.
They were pushed back by security personnel of Okada Manila.
The offices of the casino hotel were also closed upon the directive of Pagcor.
As of posting time, the management of Okada Manila is waiting for the implementation of the Pagcor order to close the casino.