MANILA - The Philippines' suspension of its treaty abrogation with the US is "timely" and the "correct decision," a maritime expert said Thursday.

President Rodrigo Duterte suspended for 6 months the abrogation of the Philippines' Visiting Forces Agreement with the US due to "heightened super power tensions" as the world reeled from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 'Superpower tensions,' pandemic led Duterte to suspend ending VFA: Locsin

"I think it’s timely. It’s the correct decision especially since we’ve seen that after the decision to terminate, aggression took place in and around South China Sea which causes much concern," said Jay Batongbacal, director of the UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea.

"The fact that the region is now facing a pandemic, which is now absorbing their attention and resources would provide an opportunity for some untoward incident so it’s better for us that... we still have this mechanism which will enable us to fully cooperate on the ground."

• As virus toll preoccupies US, rivals test limits of American power
• Beijing using COVID-19 aid to prevent criticism in S. China Sea aggression: analyst

In February, the same month Duterte announced the VFA termination, a Chinese ship pointed its radar gun at a Philippine Navy ship in the West Philippine Sea.

• Chinese ship had 'hostile intent' in pointing radar gun at PH vessel: military
• Manila files diplomatic protests vs Beijing for violations of PH sovereignty, int'l law

The United States has warned China not to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to exert itself in the South China Sea after Vietnam said Beijing sank one of its fishing boats.

• US warns China not to 'exploit' coronavirus for sea disputes