(Eagle News) — The Department of Justice has issued an immigration lookout bulletin order against Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada.
The order was dated January 9, but was only released to the media on Thursday.
According to the DOJ, the order stems from a letter of request made by Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment, Incorporated (TRLEI), the operator of Okada Manila resort hotel and casino, which has filed estafa and perjury charges against the businessman.
The charges stem from Okada’s alleged misappropriation of a “huge amount of money” –$3 million in salaries and consultancy fees—from TRLEI when he was chairman of the board, and his alleged “perjurious statements” made in a complaint filed against TRLEI.
“Considering the gravity of the possible offenses he might have committed, there is a strong probability that he may attempt to place himself beyond the reach of the legal processes of the government by leaving the country,” the order signed by Justice Vitaliano Aguirre said.
The DOJ instructed immigration officers to “be on the lookout” for the Japanese businessman “should (he) pass through the immigration counters in any of (the) international ports and/or seaports,” and to coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation to “obtain additional information” about the subject of the order.
A recommendation had earlier been made to charge Okada over alleged anomalies committed related to the establishment of casino hotels near Manila Bay