MANILA — A dispute within the board of one of the country's biggest casino hotel operators has apparently resulted in a "violent takeover" of the premises of Okada Manila on Tuesday.

In a statement, Tiger Resorts Leisure and Entertainment Inc (TRLEI), the operator of Okada Manila, said “the group of Mr. Kazuo Okada, illegally and violently took over the premises of Okada Manila, employing brute force and intimidation to compel key legitimate officers to vacate the premises.”

Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada, who made his fortune in casinos, was removed by the TRLEI as shareholder, director and chairman of the company in June 2017 over an allegedly anomalous $17.3-million loan.

The case however has reached the Supreme Court, which issued a Status Quo Ante Order on April 27, 2022, ordering parties to return to the situation before Okada was removed.

Lawyer Estrella Elamparo said Mr. Okada’s physical takeover of the casino hotel was implemented by private guards, officers of the Parañaque City police and a sheriff of the Parañaque City Regional Trial Court.

"It was really a very unprecedented and violent takeover," Elamparo told ANC's "Rundown" on Wednesday.

ABS-CBN News tried to get the side of the camp of Mr. Okada but got a reply that their lawyers were still studying if they would grant an interview as of this posting.

In a statement released Thursday, the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corp (PAGCOR) said as a regulatory body, it is "bound to observe due process and comply with the issuances and directives of the Supreme Court."

It said the incident last May 31 was a consequence of the implementation of the Supreme Court order.

"The whole incident was covered by Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras," PAGCOR said.

• Tiger Resort sacks Kazuo Okada as board chairman
• Gaming tycoon Kazuo Okada files suit vs Tiger Resort
• Gaming tycoon Kazuo Okada indicted for estafa
• Manila prosecutor dismisses perjury vs casino mogul Okada: lawyers