Updated
6:53 p.m. EST March 8, 2007
Manila,
Philippines - Recent "developments
and certain aspects of the OKR no longer exemplify
Rizal's vision of universal brotherhood and
selflessness" was how Sir Hans Schoof explained
his reasons for resigning from the Order of the
Knights of Rizal Sir
Hans G.
Schoof, KGOR
last February 18, 2007.
Made
public only on the 26th of February, the resignation
comes as a sour note to end the 16th
International Assembly just concluded in Manila the
day before. The former Supreme Deputy Commander who
is a native of
Germany and now a resident of the Bohol,
Philippines is a highly respected Rizalist who has been
active in the international brotherhood for over
twenty years and his giving up on the OKR has
caused shockwaves throughout the organization.
Sir
Schoof's departure dramatizes the brewing troubles
of the Order particularly those in Europe where the
controversially appointed incumbent Regional
Commander (Sir Lino Paras) has been under severe
criticism for alleged plagiarism and racism. A
persistent and strong clamor by the members to the
Supreme Council in Manila to resolve the issue has
for the last six months been ignored and is believed
to be the primary cause of Sir Schoof's decision.
News
of the resignation drew quick reaction from numerous
member Knights in various regions such as Canada and
Middle East. The flood of emails expressed sadness
over the loss of Sir Schoof as well as
indignation over Manila's inability or refusal
to make good on the "ultimatum" given by
Supreme Commander Hilario G. Davide Jr. last
September to Sir Paras. The former demanded the
latter to explain his side of the story within
twenty four (24) hours "or else". It has
been over three thousand (3,000) hours since then
and nothing has been heard of again of the case. Sir
Davide himself left on the eve of the Assembly for
New York to take his post as permanent U.N.
ambassador of the Philippines.
Other
"developments" alluded to in the
resignation apparently referred to the ongoing
bitter conflict in Canada among the members over
alleged gross violations of the By-laws and serious
criminal and civil offenses by a group of officers
identified as having the blessings of some high
ranking official in Manila. Coincidentally, Paras of
Europe has also been reported as a lackey of the
same personality in the Council of Elders.
Speaking
on behalf of concerned members who are affiliated
with the Knights of Rizal Reform Movement (KRRM),
Coordinator Sir Ramon Jun Zerrudo has appealed both
to the Supreme Council to address the issues
forthwith in order to prevent further damage and to
the frustrated members to hold their own decision to
resign in abeyance pending response from the
Philippines. To date Manila remains eerily
silent.
(back
to top)
|
|
Middle
East and Africa Region also in disarray, mass resignation
hinted
First
posted 8:06 AM February 27, 2007 Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia - Like wildfire, the unprecedented
and drastic decision arrived at by Sir Schoof is bearing on
other troubled members operating in other regions. In
the Middle East and Africa, Commander Sir Zane M. Thirlwall
of the Eastern Province Community Chapter reports in an
email that it "seems the recent resignation of Sir Hans
Schoof, KGOR is the start of more problems. In the Eastern
Province Community Chapter Saudi Arabia, more resignations
will follow. It's not that Knights here are childish in the
fact [sense] that they just want what they say, but the
actions from the IHQ [International Headquarters] just shows
that the Order is in serious trouble." Sir
Thirlwall adds there will be "mass resignation .. if
things don't sort themselves out. Knights are serious here
and their work and activities had proven this." The
immediate cause of the Middle East members Knights'
disillusion is not the same as in Europe or Canada but
observers suspect there is a link in their origins. The
local membership was first rattled by the sudden revocation
of the appointment of very active Regional Commander Sir
Bert Layag last February 5, 2007. Arguing that the reason
given (through unofficial mediation) by Manila was flimsy
and unfair the members were subsequently given a new blow by
the following turn of events: Rather
than admitting an error in judgment for the unfounded
revocation Manila instead gave blessings to someone
"close" to the powers-that-be not only to take
over the leadership but to create new chapters
"within" an existing one. Sir Thirlwall adds
"no system followed, no chain of command followed and
above all he's pushing to have expelled Knights put in to
Officer positions." Sir
Thirlwall comments "WOW are we in trouble here,
and from all information received from Manila, they support
him. This will add to the mass resignation and death of our
Chapter. For the record the Senior Knight doing this is not
from our Chapter he lives 400 KM away but sees the need to
divide our chapter if not kill it off."
In
reaction to the fiasco Sir Jose M. Velasquez appealed to his
fellow members in the Region. He said "Its about time
[we] do the formalities and elevate it [to the] IHQ as a
common stand. Let us write a manifesto and have all knights
signed it as our official and formal stand.
"After then.... BE IT! Let the INACTION/ACTIONS from
IHQ take its course!!! I am one of the Knights who will SIGN
and RESIGN should IHQ fail to act in favor of our position.
If ever IHQ does not give importance to our case, treating
us as if we do not mean a lot in the order, let us then make
sure that this event will be put on the record as one of the
many SAD [episodes] in the History of OKOR."
(back
to top)
Canada
makes last appeal, schedules general meeting to weigh
"options' (report
being updated)
|