Knights of Rizal Canada

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Scarborough, Canada - Less than four weeks after the declaration of The Scarborough Manifesto on September 11, the chapter known for radicalism once again "took to the streets" by launching the Knights of Rizal Reform Movement here today.

Instead of merely issuing a joint communiqué from among supporters of the Manifesto which was planned earlier, the proponents decided to skip another declaration and instead actively pursue the objectives contained in the historic document through an aggressive outreach program to the general membership of the Order.

In a speech delivered by Sir Ramon B. Zerrudo, Jr., (also known as Sir Jun Zerrudo) during the meeting attended by members of the Scarborough Chapter and guests known to be sympathetic to their cause, he explained that the issues are not about personalities nor merely about illegal councils. He said the issues are profound and far more significant than meets the eye. He said it is about "freedom, justice and truth", principles and ideals that Rizal died for and principles that "we as Rizalists should strive for in our daily lives". Alluding to the recent events in the OKR, he talked about "freedom of expression, justice for the disenfranchised, and truth about what was, is and will be." 

Sir Zerrudo presented a paper which he entitled "Doctrine of Renewal". He claimed that the OKR needs to be saved from further moral decline in the sense that if not arrested now one illegitimate council will beget another and so on. "This anomaly must be corrected and its perpetuation by default must be stopped", he said. He then outlined what he believes are necessary steps in bringing about true reforms. 

In an evangelical "ABC" or three-point type of presentation, Sir Zerrudo said that the Order needs to first Acknowledge that the Declaration of Peace and Unity and the  Memorandum of Agreement that produced the illegal Lina-led Supreme Council is flawed and the simplest way to correct it is for the Council to resign immediately. 

According to Sir Zerrudo, while it will be understandably difficult for those involved to do, if they truly mean well they will swallow their pride, recognize and acknowledge the documented truth and admit the error that was committed. This will set the organization back in a righteous course, spark a "new beginning or fresh start", Sir Zerrudo said in his speech.

"Secondly", he continued, the reformists must Believe in the principles contained in the "Doctrine of Renewal" (see Doctrine, this page) as their guide in their pursuit of reform. "And last but not least", he added, "we must Confirm our conviction by positive aggressive action in restoring honor and dignity to the brotherhood." 

"This may happen quickly or it may take a long time, no one knows for sure, but if there was ever a time to apply Rizalian ideals, this is that time", Sir Zerrudo said. It is just ironic and somewhat strange he said that the test is "for and within the organization itself", as opposed to "preaching" about it to other people for them to apply in their own communities.

After the delivery, Chapter Commander Sir Alexcs Trinidad, KCR, reported that there is a steady flow of support for the Manifesto from around the world and agreed that the Knights of Rizal Reform Movement is the appropriate vehicle needed to translate into reality what the manifesto expressed conceptually. 

Sir Lino Reyes, KCR from the Dimasalang Chapter in Canada and also from the San Ildefenso Chapter in Bulacan Chapter in the Philippines, expressed his reservations about the effectiveness of a reform initiative if the reformists are "independent and autonomous" or operating outside of the organization. 

In response, Sir Tony Rodriguez, KR and Pursuivant of the Scarborough Chapter said that a statement of clarification from the Chapter will be issued in order to define that such "independence and autonomy" is not from the organization itself but only from the "administration of the Lina council and its appointed regional council both of which are illegitimate".

Sir Joe Luzadas, KGOR, commented that the issuance of the statement of clarification should now convince those who are sitting on the fence of indecision that it is OK to join the Movement. "Nobody has gotten out of the organization nor does anyone want to sever ties with the OKR", he said. "We will remain Knights of Rizal forever", he declared.

People should now stop "dancing with the wolves" Sir Luzadas said in obvious reference to those who agree in principle with the Manifesto but are at the same time also involved with the administration of the illegal councils of Lina in Manila and with Collantes in Canada. It's also time, Sir Luzadas went on to say, for people to speak out and not feel intimidated by harassments that account for the "silence of the lambs",  this time in apparent reference to the silent majority.

In an attempt to get Canada Regional Sir Lapulapu Cana, KGCR, actively involved in the Movement, Sir Nick Alo, KCR of the Brampton Chapter, nominated Sir Cana to be KRRM's Coordinator. Sir Cana politely declined and Sir Zerrudo was instead acclaimed as the Coordinator. Sir Fran Pulumbarit, KGOR and Sir Joe Faminial, KGOR, lauded the decision and commended the work being done by Sir Zerrudo.

Sir Manuel Malinay, KCR, commander of the Richmond Hill Chapter and Sir David Chan, commander of the Chinese Chapter in Toronto, were the first two to sign as members of the KRRM. Others followed suit. More in the coming days are expected to join the unprecedented initiative.

In a telephone conversation  with Sir Nick Alo, KCR, Deputy Commander for Western GTA under the Cana regime, KRRM Coordinator Sir Jun Zerrudo, KOR, said that there are  indeed grounds to believe that Sir Cana and for that matter other Regional Commanders who were replaced by Sir Lina,  are still  the incumbents.

The reason, the reform movement coordinator said, is that since the end of the term of Sir Palmon in 2003, there has not been any Supreme Commander who officially took over and renewed the appointment of Sir Cana and the others. Sir Carmelo T. Gempesaw, KGCR, did appoint Sir Cana as Canada Regional  Commander, however, Sir Gempesaw's own position was questioned in the courts and the courts never finally determined his legitimacy. What the Council of Elders subsequently decided - that is, that the two claimants to the title were both Supreme Commanders serving 

Therefore, said Sir Zerrudo, on the basis of the fact that Sir Cana was appointed by a legitimate Supreme Commander in the person of Sir Palmon and re-appointed by a Supreme Commander who was neither legitimate or illegitimate, he still holds his position which is presently also neither legit or not. Only one thing is certain: the Supreme Council of Sir Lina was not elected by the general membership and its claim to power has no legitimacy that can be applied to the whole body.

This fact of recorded history is so certain it is not even debatable. Result: the appointments by Sir Lina has no solid legal foundation that can be imposed upon all members of the organization. If he has any jurisdiction at all, it is limited only to and among the members of the three factions whose members were the only  delegates to the assembly that put him in power.

"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation…want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters…. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will."   

Frederick Douglass, 1857

TO JOIN THE KRRM PLEASE EMAIL THE COORDINATOR AT

reformcoordinator@hotmail.com