If you can't beat them, join them.

University of the Philippines (UP) Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea Director Prof. Jay Batongbacal said there should be a Philippine representative in China's "research" trips in Philippine waters.

"We can't keep them out of that area especially if they want to do research in the high seas. But in order to ensure that if ever they want to do research, say, within our areas then at least we should be there. We should be present. We should have somebody on board to keep an eye on things and also participate in the research," he told ANC Early Edition.

Batongbacal also said the Philippine government should require China to comply with its requirement, as well as to ask for its consent before entering Philippine waters.

"I think the government really has to put its foot down on requiring consent, for one. The Chinese have to follow the proper procedure and comply with our requirements for conducting this research within our jurisdictional waters," he said.

"Second, the government should prepare its people. Basically we have marine scientists but we also have other competent individuals. We should prepare them to join these cruises, because they will be happening anyway," Batongbacal added.