Arnes Diablo

Honoring GM Cronnie Oplado Cabatingan
(April 11, 1960 – October 12, 2025)

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Grandmaster Cronnie Oplado Cabatingan of Talisay, Cebu, one of the few who completed the full course of Arnes Diablo, also known as Baraw Sugbo or Kutsilyo Cebu. He passed away today at 65 years old due to heart failure, likely brought on by diabetes complications.

A dedicated student of Grandmaster Gregorio Ceniza, GM Cronnie was also a close training partner and lifelong brother in arms to Grandmaster Eduardo “Boy” Ceniza, the current heir of Arnes Diablo and son of GM Gregorio. Together they kept alive one of Cebu’s most authentic and hard-earned blade systems, a tradition that traces its lineage back to Ukit Albaño (Lucresio Ceniza Albaño) and further to the old Saavedra line.

Beyond his training, GM Cronnie’s name became known in his community during the 1980s and 1990s for his extraordinary courage. When trouble broke out and someone threatened others with a knife, people didn’t call the police, they called Cronnie. They knew he could end the situation without ending a life. He was calm where others panicked, precise where others hesitated. His reputation grew from real encounters, not from stories told in the gym but from danger faced in the streets.

There were times he faced knife-wielding men and disarmed them with astonishing control, saving both the attacker and the intended victim. One story often remembered involved a hostage situation where he forced an opening through sheer nerve and timing, approaching the armed man calmly, provoking him just enough to make a move, and then disarming him before anyone could be hurt. Barangay officials often took photos with Cronnie after such incidents, not as trophies but as proof that peace could be restored without bloodshed.

In training, GM Cronnie’s skill was equally humbling. GM Boy Ceniza often recalled that when they practiced disarms, Cronnie’s timing and precision were so refined that even experienced fighters found it impossible to retain their blade. Few reached that level of control. Even fewer applied it as often in real life.

The art that shaped him, Arnes Diablo, is not a theory-based or sport-oriented system. It was born from necessity and tempered by real conflict. Each generation refined it through lived experience, and GM Cronnie embodied that lineage in its truest form. His mastery of the ligid or ground knife work, a rare aspect of the system, marked the completeness of his journey through Arnes Diablo.

Today, we remember him not only as a Grandmaster, but as a protector, a teacher, and a man who proved that true mastery of the blade lies in knowing when not to use it.

Rest well, GM Cronnie. Your life’s work remains in the hands of those you inspired.

In the video shared, we witness a tense standoff where police officers face a knife-wielding individual. Armed with batons, a stun gun, and a riot shield, the officers seem hesitant, unsure of how to resolve the situation without escalating to violence. This scenario underscores the complexity and danger of such encounters, especially without the right skills and training.

This brings to mind the incredible story of Cronnie Cabatingan, a true master of Arnes Diablo, also known as Baraw Sugbo or Kutsilyo Cebu. During the 1980s and early 1990s, Cronnie was the go-to person in his barangay and nearby areas whenever someone posed a threat with a knife. Communities trusted him to handle these situations because they knew that if the police were called, the outcome would often be fatal for the armed individual. Cronnie, however, consistently disarmed dangerous individuals safely, protecting lives on both sides.

Cronnie’s calm confidence and mastery of knife defense were evident in countless situations. One particularly memorable incident involved a hostage situation where a man held someone at knifepoint. Cronnie approached the attacker calmly, assessed the situation, and even provoked the man by spitting on him—forcing him to react. This calculated move created the opening Cronnie needed to disarm him without harm to the hostage.

Barangay officials would often commemorate these successful interventions by taking photos of Cronnie with the restrained individual. These photos were taken as a record of his contribution to the community and to honor his remarkable skill and bravery in protecting others.

Cronnie’s mastery wasn’t just evident in real-world scenarios but also in training. The photo shared here shows Grandmaster Eduardo "Boy" Ceniza and Grandmaster Cronnie Cabatingan demonstrating a knife drill together. GM Boy often recalls how Cronnie’s disarming techniques were so effective that even he, a skilled martial artist, couldn’t retain the knife during their practice sessions. These moments highlight not just Cronnie’s personal expertise but the remarkable effectiveness of Arnes Diablo.

The origins of Arnes Diablo trace back to Lorenzo Saavedra, who taught the system to select students. While we don’t know exactly how the system came to be, a close analysis reveals its streamlined and practical nature. It’s a system so precise and effective that it seems unlikely to have been developed by a single individual. Instead, it’s possible that it evolved over generations, improved through the real-life experiences of the masters who carried it forward. Cronnie Cabatingan was fortunate to learn this art and apply it in real-world situations, becoming a living testament to its effectiveness.

Unlike martial arts created without context or designed in theory, Arnes Diablo is rooted in practical knowledge and refined for survival. It is not just a collection of techniques but a system that has likely been tested and shaped by the experiences of those who lived through life-threatening encounters.

If you want to improve your chances of surviving a knife attack, Arnes Diablo offers invaluable insights. While mastering the art of disarming a knife-wielding individual takes years of dedication, even a few sessions can teach you principles that dramatically increase your odds of survival. Unlike general martial arts that may not address knife scenarios, Arnes Diablo focuses specifically on real-world applications, giving you tools to navigate life-and-death situations.

This is more than just training—it’s a preparation rooted in history, experience, and real-world effectiveness. If you’re ready to take the first step toward understanding how to handle these scenarios, Arnes Diablo is the path for you.

Private Zoom Session with GM Ceniza.

Just when you think you’ve grasped all the details, you discover there are still layers upon layers of intricacies in Arnes Diablo, the only Filipino Martial Art focused exclusively on knife combat.

Daghang salamat FMA Pulse for interviewing our GM. Pugay!

INTERVIEW with GM EDUARDO CENIZA of BARAW SUGBO ARNES DIABLO | FILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS While in Cebu, Philippines, we had a chance to meet and interview GM Eduardo Ceniza of Baraw Sugbo Arnes Diablo. Its approach is different compared to other...

It was a rare opportunity to witness two heirs of different Filipino martial arts systems meet and train together for the first time!

In Toledo, Cebu, Master Jomalin Caballero, the heir to De Campo 1-2-3 Original, and Grandmaster Eduardo Ceniza, the heir to Baraw Sugbo / Arnes Diablo, came together to train a foreign student, Matt from Canada. Thanks to Sir Louie Lindo for referring Matt to Maestro Paolo who then arranged a trip to Cebu for the training.

The training sessions were intense, with Master Jomalin demonstrating the simplicity yet devastating techniques of De Campo 123 Original while Grandmaster Eduardo showcased the swift and precise movements of Arnes Diablo. Matt, the eager student, was amazed by the depth of knowledge and skill of both martial arts systems. He learned to appreciate the unique strengths and approaches of each system especially when Maestro Paolo provides more details during training.

In this meeting, Master Jomalin and GM Ceniza also shared their knowledge and experiences with each other, creating a bond between two heirs of different FMAs. It was an unforgettable experience for everyone to witness the meeting of the heirs of two legends in the Filipino martial arts world.

These pictures not only captured the training, but also the camaraderie between martial artists. Next time, if we have more time, we will also try to capture the beauty of Toledo. Note that in the pictures, Master Jong was holding his father's stick (GM Mawe) while GM Ceniza was holding his father's training knife (GM Oyong Ceniza).

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that all of us would cherish forever.

If you want to know more about De Campo, head on to decampo123.org and if you want more info on Arnes Diablo, just visit arnesdiablo.org

Both systems have online courses that you can signup to. Just check their websites.

Happy birthday to a true master of Baraw Sugbo! Your dedication and passion for teaching this unique and important martial art is inspiring. Your signature smile lights up the room and brings joy to everyone who has the privilege of knowing you. We wish you a day filled with happiness, good health, and all the best things life has to offer. Enjoy your special day to the fullest, GM Eduardo S. Ceniza! 🎉🎂💪