JEDDAH, 30 October — The national leaders of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) in Manila have spoken but the dispute between two of the fraternity’s alumni groups in Riyadh is far from over.
In a statement, the APO Riyadh Alumni Association, or APORAA, urged leaders of the breakaway APOCRUC to drop their "divisive" move to pave way for reconciliation. "APOCRUC, the way we see it, is a lost cause and they have to comply one way or the other to the way Alpha Phi Omega operates all over the world. The APO National Council is clear in its statement and it should be respected at all costs," said APORAA president Dr. Raymond Alipit.
The APO National Council had issued a memorandum to the warring factions, telling APOCRUC to follow the fraternity’s rules on the formation of new chapters.
But a person close to APOCRUC leaders, who asked not to be identified, told Arab News that the national council’s memorandum did not tell the new group to disband.
"What the letter said (reflecting existing policy) was that the NC reserves the right for final recognition. New chapters generally form themselves first and then submit a petition. Alipit’s contention that new chapters must first get NC approval before doing anything is incorrect. APOCRUC is not claiming it has final recognition yet," said the source.
But Alipit said the memorandum was very clear in stateing that: "the creation or installation of any alumni association shall first be referred to the National Council for approval and proper recognition."
He said the same memorandum from Rodrigo Mapoy, APO vice president for alumni affairs, explained that the rule was meant "avoid conflicts between and among alumni associations already installed in the area …."
APOCRUC auditor Rouel Bustarga had earlier said their motive in forming the group was to accommodate those who are working in other parts of the Central Region of Saudi Arabia. CRUC stands for Central Region Unified Chapters.
Besides, he said, their colleagues in APORAA have succumbed to the "old guard" mentality and resistant to reforms. He attributed this to a "generation gap," noting that those who want to join the new group are of the younger generation.
Bustarga also attested that contrary to APORAA’s contention, Consul Gary Domingo did not play a key role in the formation of their group. They said they themselves, along with their president Boggs Bolor, were responsible.
Alipit yesterday said: "There is not a single truth to what Bustarga is saying. Those he mentioned reflects their (CRUC’s) ideas and not the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity."
"APORAA has not dwelt on personalities, it made an effort to seek the truth on erring brothers and unfortunately a government official was behind those who formed the ‘breakaway’ group."
Alipit said contrary to Bustarga’s claims, the CRUC leaders have made their own rules to suit their cause.
Alipit said that APO, in its 76 years of existence, has not mentioned of "generation gap" as an obstacle in rendering service.
"APO lives on the three guiding principles of leadership, friendship and service. This is not a society or a club that comes together for tea of for drink. It is an organization of men and women, young and old internationally in the name of service as opposed to Bustarga’s ‘new generation’ ideas."
"Sometimes you really wonder about some people talking if they are really indoctrinated well in the ideals of Alpha Phi Omega," he added. Alipit said APORAA does not fear multiple chapters or alumni groupings, as Bustarga had contended. He said if things are done in a proper way, in accordance with APO’s rules, there would be no problem at all.
