PHILIPPINE NAVY

HEADQUARTERS PHILIPPINE MARINE CORPS

Marine Barracks Manila, Taguig City
01 March 2007
SUBJECT:

Letter of Promulgation

To:

All Concerned

1.
This Training Manual on the Philippine Marine Corps
Martial Arts System (Pekiti Tirsia Kali) was formulated through the
efforts of the member of the Office of the former Assistant Chief of
Staff for Education and Training, MC-B, Philippine Marine Corps
on July to December 2004.
2.
This publication shall provide the command a basic
training guide for its martial arts training program.
3.
This handbook is therefore promulgated effective this
date for the guidance and reference of all concerned.

",

AFP

II

PHILIPPINE MARINE CORPS

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF
Marine Barracks Manila, Taguig City
01 March 2007

Foreword

<

- - - - - - - - -__
1

The adoption of Pekiti Tirsia Kali as the martial arts system

of the Philippine Marine Corps is another milestone in our glorious
history. Marines will soon learn and be trained in a FILIPINO
martial art that is an effective, deadly and complete system for
close quarters fighting using bladed weapons.
This manual is an indispensable tool for our marines to
learn, understand and adopt this Filipino fighting system. It will
ensure that standards of teaching this martial art in the Corps
are the same and consequently equip our marines with a lethal
close quarters fighting skill. Learning our very own martial art will
strengthen our sense of patriotism. With this, our marines will fight
harder, serve better and stand up and be proud of our very own
martial art.
I urge every marine to read and understand this manual.
To make use of it in learning the art. Be guided by its creed and

PHILIPPINE MARINE CORPS

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF
Marine Barracks Manila, Taguig City

01 March 2007
Foreword
The adoption of Pekiti Tirsia Kali as the martial arts system
of the Philippine Marine Corps is another milestone in our glorious
history. Marines will soon learn and be trained in a FILIPINO
martial art that is an effective, deadly and complete system for
close quarters fighting using bladed weapons.
This manual is an indispensable tool for our marines to
learn, understand and adopt this Filipino fighting system. It will
ensure that standards of teaching this martial art in the Corps
are the same and consequently equip our marines with a lethal
close quarters fighting skill. Learning our very own martial art will
strengthen our sense of patriotism. With this, our marines will fight
harder, serve better and stand up and be proud of our very own
martial art.
I urge every marine to read and understand this manual.
To make use of it in learning the art. Be guided by its creed and
live its philosophy, by so doing you will fully understand and
appreciate Pekiti Tersia Kali.

Q!rt"4&a4=
NATALIO C ECAR~
COL

III

PN(M)(MNSA)

Message
This Training Manual on Edged-Impact Weapon Tactical
Combat enhances the teachings and learning capabilities of the
Philippine Marines on the Basic Concept and Structure of the
Pekiti Tirsia Kali System, an indigenous and traditional fighting art
from the Philippines.
By tradition, the original indigenous materials used in
terms of strategy and tactics applied in warfare are the basic
components of bladed combat. These are essentially taught to
the Marine Corps after identifying and classifying techniques that
will be effective in combat.
The Blade as the fundamental weapon of training is a
highly motivational incentive that will drive our soldiers to war, a
victorious challenge that can prove to be successful.
It is with great hope, that this basic training manual will be
very useful as a true guide for the present and future Marines.

IV

PEKITI TIRSIA KALI

WARRIOR'S CREED

I SWEAR BEFORE GOD, AND THE

WHOLE MARINE CORPS AND MY GURO
THAT I WILL DRAW MY BLADE ONLY TO
DEFEND MYSELF OR OTHERS. NEVER
WILL I DRAW MY BLADE IN ANGER,
VENGEANCE, OR ANY ACT DESPICABLE
IN THE EYES OF GOD.

Table of Contents
Letter of Promulgation
Foreword
Message
Creed
Table of Contents

ii
iii
iv
v
vi

Part I - Orientation

Chapter 1 Orientation
Course Outline
Grading System
SOPs
Conduct of Training
Training Phases and Process
Introduction to PTK
History
Basic Philosophy and Doctrine
Ranking System
Salutations
Weapons Attributes

2
3
4
4
5
5
5
6
7
8
10
11

Chapter 2 PTK Principles of Combat

Combat Principles
Fighting Strategies
Ranges of Combat...
Methods of attacks
Methods of Quartering
Tactical Equation

12
12
13
14
14
15
16

PART II - FOOTWORK DEVELOPMENT PHASE

17

Chapter 3 Foundation Footwork

Stances
Primary fighting positions

18
18
19

VI

Foundation Footwork and

Body Mechanics
Ranging-45 degrees,
90 degrees, 180 degrees
Side stepping
Reverse Triangle
Forward Triangle
Take off
Wave inlWave out.
Ducking
Part III - COMBAT BOLO AND KNIFE FIGHTING
"\

,!

_ _ _ _ _....._d

20
21
23
26
26
28
29
32
34

Chapter 4 Combat Bolo-Close Quarters Bolo

35
36
Weapons striking manipulation
Grips
36
Proper Loading/ Chambering
38
Diagonal attack System
39
Fluid attack/strike
39
Broken attack/strikes
41
Battle Drills
44
Distance Sparring
.44
Non Contact.
.. .. .. 44
Weapons Contact (Contradas)
.44
Pasunod
44
Dakop
45
Pasugat
46
Panastas
47

Foundation Footwork and

Body Mechanics
Ranging-45 degrees,
90 degrees,180 degrees
Side stepping
Reverse Triangle
Forward Triangle
Take off
Wave inlWave out.
Ducking

20
21
23
26
26
28
29
32

Part III - COMBAT BOLO AND KNIFE FIGHTING

Chapter 4 Combat Bolo-Close Quarters Bolo
Weapons striking manipulation
Grips
Proper Loading/ Chambering
Diagonal attack System
Fluid attack/strike
Broken attack/stri kes
Battle Drills
Distance Sparring
Non Contact.
Weapons Contact (Contradas)
Pasunod
Dakop
Pasugat
Panastas
Chapter 5 Combat Knife/Close
Quarters Knifefighting
Grip- saksak, pakal.
Numbering-angle of attack
Target Areas
Movement Drills
Weapon versus Weapon Application
Saksak counter saksak
VII

34

35
36
36
38
39
39
41
44
44
44
.44
44
45
46
47

49
50
52
53
54
57
57

Part IV-

Saksak counter pakal

Pakal counter saksak
Pakal counter pakal

58
59
60

EMPTY HANDS FIGHTING AND OTHER

APPLICATIONS

62

Chapter 6 Combat Empty Hands

Third hand principle
Slap
Elbow
Hack
Finger jab
Parrying Drills
Come along hold
Dumog- Pangamut
Chapter7. Weapons Retention and Disarming
Weapons retention
Rifle
Pistol
Weapons Disarming
Rifle
Pistol
Appendice:
Proponents Acknowledgement

VIII

PART I

ORIENTATION
IIIiII

66
64
66
71
73
75
84
85
93
93
93
96
102
102
105