Marines learn Filipino Martial Art

News: Marines learn Filipino Martial Art

III Marine Expeditionary Force / Marine Corps Installations Pacific

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Story by Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr Subscribe To This Journalist

Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr

Pfc. Demarquis Porch, a field wireman with Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, performs stick fighting technique used in Pekiti Tirsia Kali, a Filipino martial art form, during Exercise Balikatan 2011 here April 11. Balikatan is an annual bilateral training exercise between U.S. forces and the AFP to maintain operational readiness and strengthen the U.S. and Philippine relationship.

FORT BONIFACIO, TAGUIG CITY, Philippines – U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines Marines shared martial arts techniques at Fort Bonifacio, April 11 during Exercise Balikatan 2011.

Balikatan is an annual bilateral training exercise between U.S. forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to maintain operational readiness and strengthen the U.S. and Philippine relationship.

U.S. Marines with Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, demonstrated Marine Corps Martial Arts Program moves the week prior, and then AFP Marines taught techniques from Pekiti Tirsia Kali, their preferred martial art form.

Pekiti Tirsia Kali is used to combat the local enemy, who once out of ammunition turns to using knives and swords, said AFP 2nd Lt. Denis Cafe, one of several AFP instructors teaching U.S. Marines the quick-striking techniques of Pekiti Tirsia Kali.

Some Marines found the hot, austere condition of the fort as difficult as the new training.

“It’s very hot, and at the same time the training is hard, but Marines adapt and overcome,” said Porch. “All I need to do is stay hydrated, and I will be all right.”

Pfc. Demarquis Porch, a field wireman with Comm. Company, took part in the stick fighting portion of the Pekiti Tirsia Kali training in which sticks simulated swords commonly used by the enemy of the AFP Marines.

“Stick fighting is very fun and also very technical,” said Porch. “You have to be sure that you know what you’re doing. Once you get the live blade, those techniques that they’re teaching you, you really have to apply.”

The Marines learned many different techniques from their Filipino counterparts, such as fighting with a bolo, a Philippine machete, knife-fighting techniques and disarming the enemy while unarmed.

MCMAP uses body weight and chokes, and body locks to incapacitate the enemy; Pekiti Tirsia Kali is more evasive and focuses on striking fast with any weapon, Cafe said.

Due to the difference in styles of the two martial arts, some obstacles occurred but were overcome by the Marines.

“There were some things they were used to, and some things that they weren’t,” said 1st Lt. Shamik Songui, a communications officer with Comm. Company and a MCMAP black belt instructor trainer. “It was broken down nicely for them, and of course, we gave them those tie-ins and warrior studies to get that whole warrior concept.”

“The three tenants of MCMAP are the mental, physical and the character and we tried to teach that to the Philippine Marines, and let them know it’s not just kicking and punching,” he said.

“MCMAP is just a building block to make you a better warrior,” said Songui. “It gives you that good baseline, so you can branch out, and this is a good tool for Marines to put in their toolbox and become better warriors.”

The training was a good experience for both militaries, said Cafe.
Working alongside each other and trading knowledge in the two martial arts will compliment the U.S. and AFP Marines ability to be more proficient, he said.