Expert offers self-defense tips for commuters, motorists

Published September 10, 2014 7:27pm

Commuters can learn to protect themselves from robbers and other criminals on the road, a martial arts expert said in a report on "Balitanghali" on Wednesday.

Mataw Guro Ipe Penales, a practitioner of the Filipino martial art Amara Arkanis, stressed that it is better to give the robbers your money rather than risk losing your life.

However, if you are in a situation where someone is about to hurt or even try to kill you, there are some tactics you can learn to defend yourself.

With the help of some of colleagues, Penales demonstrated possible moves to execute when threatened with a knife or gun in close quarters—a must, said the report, as lots of robberies occur in crowded jeeps or full buses.

Penales' tips include the following:

- Before getting into a taxi, check if the car door has a child lock and if it is engaged. If it is, you won't be able to open the door from the inside.

- If you are a solitary passenger, sit right behind the driver. That way, if the driver is planning something, he will have a more difficult time getting to you.

- If someone gets into the car, immediately try to get out on the door on your side. If that's not yet an option, "strike ka kaagad doon sa area," said Penales, demonstrating shoving the heel of his palm into the person's face. He also advised leaning back to kick the attacker in the face.

- If you are sitting in the passenger seat and someone from behind puts his hand around your neck, "kunin mo yung kanyang daliri," he said, taking hold of the assailant's middle finger and pulling it far from his neck. "And then, sigurado kasama ito," he said, gesturing to the driving before miming punching him in the face."Upakan mo na agad." And as always, get out of the vehicle as soon as you can.

- If someone grabs your arm and tries to pull you into a vehicle, do not try to twist your arm away. "Huwag kang pupunta doon sa apat [na daliri]," he said. Instead, he said, go through the thumbs. With your free hand, grab hold of other hand and pull your arm up and away. "Tapos, sigaw ka na ng sigaw," Penales advised.

- Even motorists are at risk, especially solitary ones. If you are sitting in the driver's seat and someone reaches into your window, Penales demonstrated, grab his arm with your right arm and pull him in until his face is against the door, then hit him in the throat with your left arm.

- If you're in a jeep and muggers crowd in, don't immediately call for help. "Secure yourself first," said Penales. If you scream immediately, "nagbibigay ka ng awareness sa attacker na 'teka muna, delikado na rin ako.'"

One of your most important weapons in defending yourself, said the report, is your presence of mind. — Barbara Marchadesch/VC, GMA News

Tags: selfdefense, amaraarkanis, martialarts, holdup