• Staff

  • TUHON ROMMEL TORTAL

    CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION

    Tuhon Rommel Tortal is highly sought after around the world, for his unparalleled expertise in his family’s martial art system, Pekiti Tirsia Kali (PTK). 


    He has been immersed in Pekiti Tirsia Kali since the early age of 11, under Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje. Tuhon Mel has dedicated his life to the propagation of the art. He travels extensively across the globe, developing and supporting Pekiti Tirsia Kali groups worldwide. Working closely with instructors and students to provide the best instruction and progression possible. Tuhon Mel also works with various military, law enforcement, and security contractors worldwide, as a tactical instructor.

    Tuhon Mel has an extensive resume of excellence. He was the Resident Instructor at the training Head Quarters of the Philippine Marine Corps. The Tactical Combative Instructor of the Special Action Force Comandos. Former CQC Instructor for CESSNA, the Covert Escort and Security Services for National Air Carrier.  In Addition, he was the Combatives Instructor for the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police. He also became a consultant for the Philippine Public Safety College. Other mentions Tuhon Mel has accomplished include training the Presidential Guard of the Philippines, as well as instructed U.S. Marines, Indian Special Forces, US Homeland Security, and US Marshals.

     

  • Tuhon Leslie L. Buck Jr

    Executive Director & Advisor

    Tuhon Leslie L. Buck, Jr. has decades of experience in martial arts, defensive tactics, firearms, and self defense, but early on, his specialty became Pekiti Tirsia Kali. A significant portion of Leslie's training was under Tuhon Erwin Ballarta and Tuhon Rommel Tortal.  However, Leslie's most extensive training in Pekiti Tirsia was under Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje, Jr., who shaped his understanding and skill to the level that it is today.  Leslie remains a student of the art and is always growing by learning from his teachers, his peers, and his students.

    Leslie began teaching in 1995. Since then, he has worked with thousands of students, including private citizens as well as police, and military personnel.  In do so, he has operated his own training facility as well as served as a guest instructor for many departments and schools, both local and national, including the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the Philippine Marine Corps, the Philippine National Police and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

    In 2011, after 21 years of training Kali, Leslie was promoted to Tuhon rank by Grand Tuhon Leo, T. Gaje, Jr.  Since that time, he has become even more dedicated to serving the Pekiti Tirsia community. Today, Leslie travels the world, teaching seminars as well as conducting training for police, military, and private citizens at his home base in Austin, Texas, through his company, Tactical Arts, LLC.  Leslie's focus is on saving lives and developing instructors to reach more who want and need effective training.  In addition to teaching, Leslie also runs Kali Gear, an equipment company that provides gear for those who train in the Filipino Martial Arts.

  • Baldwin T. Garrucho

    Executive Director & Advisor