3,000 cops to secure INC arena opening

CITY OF MALOLOS, Philippines—The Central Luzon police will deploy close to 3,000 policemen to control traffic at the July 27 inauguration of the Philippine Dome Arena built by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in Bocaue town.

Touted as the country’s biggest coliseum, the Dome Arena can sit 50,000 people but might draw many more at its opening, which is a highlight of the INC’s centennial celebration.

The coliseum was built on a 35,000-hectare INC property at Ciudad de Victoria, which straddles the Bulacan towns of Bocaue and Sta. Maria.

It will be the new center of INC activities, making Bocaue a hub of three major Christian denominations.

Most town residents are Catholics. The headquarters of the Jesus Is Lord (JIL) evangelical group is located at Barangay (village) Bunlo.

Secretary Joel Villanueva, director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and son of JIL founder and president Bro. Eddie Villanueva, said Bocaue could now be called the “faith capital of the country.”–Carmela Reyes-Estrope