Tuhon Rommel Tortal: From Pekiti-Tirsia Lineage to the PTK75 Tactical Design

Tuhon Rommel Tortal: From Pekiti-Tirsia Lineage to the PTK75 Tactical Design

Tuhon Rommel Tortal is the nephew of Grand Tuhon Leo Tortal Gaje Jr., the Supreme Grandmaster of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali (PTK). He began his training in 1984 directly under Grand Tuhon Gaje, gaining lifelong immersion in the combat system that his family has refined through more than a century of experience.

Throughout his career, Rommel has served as Chief Tactical Instructor for some of the Philippines’ most elite military and police units, including the Marine Force Recon Battalion, the Philippine National Police Academy, the Special Action Force Commandos, and the Presidential Security Group. Internationally, he has provided training to Special Operations Units in India and Russia, further expanding the global reach of Pekiti-Tirsia Kali. 

In 2002, Rommel began teaching edged and impact weapons to civilians while continuing his work with the armed forces. He has also founded PTK training groups within the Philippine Police Special Action Force and other military units, while conducting seminars worldwide through Pekiti Tirsia Kali Elite. 

This lifelong dedication to blade combat naturally led him into tactical knife design. In collaboration with NEXTORCH’s NEXKUT division, Rommel created the PTK75 Combat Knife—a limited-edition tactical blade that embodies the principles of Pekiti-Tirsia: functionality, resilience, and survival readiness. 

For Tuhon Rommel, edged weapon design is an extension of martial philosophy. The PTK75 is not only a tool for combat but also a reflection of his belief that martial training is about awareness, composure, and decisiveness under pressure—qualities that prepare practitioners to face challenges both in combat and in life.