Swedish krav maga expert to give free seminar to media
BY PERRY GIL S. MALLARI REPORTER

The recent massacre in Maguindanao has underscored the perilous lives many journalists face in the country. Thirty newsmen were among the 57 killed on November 23 as they covered the filing of candidacy by a local politician’s wife. The press badge has never offered much protection. The journalist organization Reporters Without Borders has long rated the Philippines as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, noting, “Philippines media are free but subjected to levels of violence that nothing and nobody seems able or willing to stop. Murders and assaults against journalists and in particular against local radio presenters are frequent.” In such a climate of fear, more newsmen are learning to protect themselves.
One practical defense system to consider is krav maga. Krav Maga is the Israeli combat system designed for extreme battlefield conditions. The potency of its techniques and teachings has been proven in Israel, a nation that is at war since biblical times.

Björn Karlsson, a Swedish expert in krav maga, will conduct a free safety seminar for the members of the media on Saturday. Karlsson, an Expert 2 level instructor of the International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF) Global Instructors Team has taught to civilians, military, law enforcement, air marshals and VIP protection professionals in countries like Sweden, Denmark, Germany, USA, England, Serbia, Holland, the Philippines and Israel.

Krav maga, literally “contact combat,” was developed by Imi Lichtenfeld (also known as Imi Sde-Oramid) in Hungary and Czechoslovakia during the 1930s. The foundation of krav maga was laid while Lichtenfeld was in the forefront of street fights protecting the Jewish community in Bratislava against the Nazi militia. Krav maga was further refined during the founder’s career as chief instructor of hand-to-hand combat of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

A wake up call

Karlsson with Kenneth Asuncion, managing director of Krav Maga Philippines, decided to conduct the seminar in response to the gruesome Maguindanao massacre where 30 journalists were killed. Commenting on the tragedy, Karlsson told The Manila Times, “The massacre is of course a disaster for the victims and their families. This is really a wake up call for journalists all across the globe. Some areas are of course considered as highly dangerous compared to others. In the perspective of self-defense it’s easy to say that one should avoid areas like this. But of course this is not realistic for all professions, journalists for instance. The more prepared one is for a situation the better the chances of avoiding injuries.”

Karlsson believes that realistic training will result to heightened awareness, “Often the biggest advantage of training in realistic self defense is that one learns to be a “healthy paranoid,” meaning being a little more aware about the surroundings and situation to better avoid the actual fight. Its much easier to avoid the problem than to solve it,” he said.

Never say die

In comparison with other fighting arts, nothing beats krav maga when it comes to scenario training. A typical practice covers defenses against both unarmed and armed attacks such as those employing a stick, a knife or a gun. Practitioners are drilled to fight in the worst of circumstances like when lying on the ground, outnumbered or when the situation dictates that you must protect someone. Offensive and aggressive in nature, defense and offense in krav maga were not done separately but delivered in unison giving the opponent little time to react.

On escaping captivity

The following are excerpts from the article Krav Maga Gun Defense Tactics and Techniques by Eyal Yanilov and Joe Hegan (published in Rapid Vol. 11 No. 1), which contain vital information on escaping captivity.
Yanilov is the International Krav Maga Federation’s chief instructor.

On the importance of taking the earliest possible opportunity to escape, Yanilov and Hegan, writes, “Most soldiers are taught to try and escape capture at the earliest opportunity. The trickiest part of any abduction or hijack is the initial act of their crime, because unless experienced and/or highly trained, they don’t know exactly what to expect. Will their victims panic; will they be seen and the authorities be alerted; will something happen that they have not accounted for? This is an uncertain time for all involved and will undoubtedly cause them, as much anxiety as it will you. But the longer you allow yourself to be under their control, they’ll gain in confidence and you’ll lose yours.” The two experts emphasized that based on experience, “More prisoners escape in transit than in custody.”

On the risk of running away from your captors armed with guns, they have this to say, “One could argue that if you run you’ll be shot. True, however, a handgun is notoriously inaccurate on anything more than 15-feet away and less on a moving target [running in a zigzag is a method that has proven effective].
Even in skilled hands you would be very unlucky to get hit.”

On the options remaining to a captive, the two experts conclude, “You may think that this all sounds a little risky but given the alternative of possible captivity, rape, torture, death or all four, you can’t afford to dismiss it.”

Karlsson’s seminar is open to all members of the media encompassing print, radio and television.
Participants, however, are required to submit a letter of endorsement from their respective media organizations and present their media badges.

The krav maga seminar will be held on Saturday at the Krav Maga Philippines Gym, 20 E. Maclang Street corner P. Guevarra Street San Juan City.

For inquiries call 726-5021 or 723-6053.