Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gibo Teodoro

Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, a consistent critic of China’s "bullying" in Philippine territorial waters, hopes that the Philippines can "walk the talk" under newly-installed Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gibo Teodoro.

This, after Rodriguez praised Teodoro for giving a "courageous declaration" on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue.

The veteran solon quoted Teodoro as saying, "What is ours is ours.”

To this, Rodriguez said: “It’s a very courageous declaration. I hope that we can walk the talk."

Rodriquez has been the most vocal member of the House of Representatives as far as the aggressive tactics of Beijing in the WPS is concerned. He has consistently asked the foreign vessels to leave the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The Mindanaoan, who is also a lawyer, chairs the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments.