A middle-aged Japanese businessman was arrested by Philippine airport police last week at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila after he was caught hitting an 11-year-old boy on the head for no reason.
According to ABS-CBN News, 50-year-old Koichi Kuroda, arrived in Manila on January 5 from Japan on board Japan Airlines flight 745.
At the airport’s baggage claim area, Kuroda reportedly encountered a child who was waiting for luggage at the conveyor area with his father. The Japanese businessman then reportedly hit the child’s head, without provocation, according to witnesses.
Customs officials and other passengers who saw the assault assisted the boy’s father in immediately alerting airport police officers. The businessman was immediately apprehended.
The immediate police response reportedly prevented the other passengers from mobbing Kuroda, who was allegedly boasting about his wealth and influence.
Kuroda, who had an earlier altercation with immigration officials due to unruly behavior, was also seen boasting about his manufacturing firm based in Cavite, Philippines. where he claimed to employ hundreds of Filipino workers.
The businessman, however, later offered an amicable settlement to the victim’s parents but it was turned down and went on to file a complaint against Kuroda the following day.
Kuroda was temporarily detained at the Airport Police Investigation and Detective Service office facing charges of violation of child abuse law and will await a commitment order from a local court in Pasay.
