About

Bilis Pegada (BP) translated means “quick strikes” and stems from a pool of different martial arts. It was developed to what it is today by Mr. Arnelle de Guzman.  The basic foundation of Bilis Pegada has its origins in the Philippines and was developed as a fighting system by Mr. de Guzman’s family. Often thought of as a game and at times a burden to learn, Mr. de Guzman sought out other forms of martial arts which he thought to be more appealing than that what his family taught him. Throughout the years, Mr. de Guzman trained in various martial arts which included; European fencing, kendo, Okinawan Kenpo, Silat, Wing Chun (Hung Gar), Kali, and western boxing.  Mr. de Guzman continued to train in BP as he learned these other fighting systems. He is currently receiving instruction in boxing from Mr. Carlos Aguilar, a former trainer of boxing Hall of Famer, Roberto Duran.

As a former use of force instructor to a Southern California police department, Mr. de Guzman recognized the deficiencies in some of the arrest and control techniques used by law enforcement. Because of these deficiencies, he created a system specifically for law enforcement and military use. His system was considered unconventional at the time therefore, most police agencies opted to go with more popular and highly marketed form of martial arts. Mr. de Guzman questioned the effectiveness of the techniques taught to officers which he believed jeopardized the practitioner's safety and increased personal and departmental liabilities. Some of the techniques seem to violate the department’s own use of force policies.  Mr. de Guzman continued to train in BP but kept his system to himself and taught his immediate family and  a small group of law enforcement friends.

In 2010, a small group of police officers, who had heard of Mr. de Guzman’s skills, sought him. Though already well versed in other forms of martial arts, the officers asked Mr. de Guzman to instruct them in the defensive system he developed.  Mr. de Guzman reluctantly agreed and offered his instructions only to a small group of law enforcement and military personnel.  He still trains the same group today.

The concept of Bilis Pegada is to overwhelm the attacker with multiple strikes; several strikes in quick succession on different parts of the body.  Rather than focusing on one part of the body, BP practitioners will strike at vulnerable targets in very quick rapid sequences in which the assailant will find it difficult to defend against. A BP practitioner may strike an opponent in the face but reposition himself to strike the back of the head or the pelvis. BP training consists of motor development as well as developing the fighting mindset to sense and react to an attack. Explosiveness, accuracy and power are characteristics of BP.

Arnelle de Guzman, Punong Guro

Because of the potential lethality of the system, BP is only instructed to law enforcement and military personnel. Military personnel, based on their mission assignment, receive additional instruction in the deadly techniques of knife offensive tactics. Law Enforcement personnel receive training in compliance holds; take downs, strikes, knife defensive tactics and de-escalation tactics. The goal is to lessen liability for police agencies by giving them realistic training.  People often ask what makes Bilis Pegada different from any other forms of martial arts. Our answer lies in its creator and those who currently practice the art. Mr. de Guzman served as a patrol officer, gang detective, swat, hostage negotiator and used his system on a daily basis with high regard for officer safety, emplaced use of force policies and plain common sense. The art continues to evolve based on new technologies  in the law enforcement/military industry with direct input from those who actually use it; law enforcement and military personnel.  Often times martial arts instructors who teach "police defensive tactics" have no law enforcement background and can never effectively articulate the need to use a certain hold or strike. This ensures a great deal of liability for a police department.  Instead, officers are taught a traditional form of a martial art which makes it too flashy and unrealistic for law enforcement and military use.  Bilis Pegada is a straight forward no nonsense system designed to eliminate the threat as quickly as possible.

At the training facility in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, the total student population is limited to 20 law enforcement, military or security personnel only. Bilis Pegada Instructors are available to provide seminars to law enforcement agencies, military organizations and selected private security companies. There are no civilians allowed to partake in the training. At the Rancho Cucamonga, CA facility,  the applicants are scrutinized on their maturity level. They are interviewed by at least two BP instructors. This process allows for a dynamic group of professionals to effectively train with one another. Training at the facility includes, Bilis Pegada, shoot don’t shoot (FATS), shock knife, impact tools (baton, flashlight, etc), gun retention/deployment, long gun handling, knife defensive/offensive tactics, de-escalation tactics, use-of-force policy development/modification and bi-monthly simulated shoot house tactics training at a local facility.
 
The goal of Lords Executive Consulting is to provide collaborative training to emergency services personnel so that they have the necessary skills to survive a violent confrontation without increasing liability for themselves and the municipality they represent. If you are in Southern California and interested in becoming a member at the Rancho Cucamonga facility or have any questions regarding our training, send us a short message by clicking on the contact tab. --Lords Executive Consulting Staff.