Still all systems go for Iglesia Ni Cristo’s 101st anniversary

BOCAUE, Bulacan—A power struggle within the family behind Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) will not stop the church’s 101st anniversary celebrations at Philippine Arena and Philippine Sports Stadium here this weekend, a manager of the INC site said.

“Everything is the same as it was for the programs and events. And reports [about a feud among family members] do not affect in any way or manner the holding of the anniversary celebrations,” said Enrile Teodoro, operations manager of Maligaya Development Corp., the firm hired to manage Philippine Arena inside Ciudad de Victoria here.

Teodoro said no changes were made in the celebration activities that about 80,000 to 100,000 INC members from all over the country were expected to join.

But Chief Supt. Roland Santos, Central Luzon police director, said the police have made plans should protests erupt during the celebration. After meeting with INC leaders, Santos said it was agreed that INC will determine who would be allowed entry to the arena and stadium where anniversary programs were scheduled today and on Sunday.

“We did not anticipate the [reported expulsion of some members of the Manalo family that divided the INC when we made] the plan. So what we prepared were (plans) for normal traffic and security,” Santos said, adding that 150 policemen will secure the site.

The INC foundation day falls on Monday, July 27, with celebrations meant to conclude the church’s yearlong centennial that its members marked in July last year. Carmela Reyes-Estrope and Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon