Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The 38 Filipino crew members aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius want to return home but must first undergo strict medical clearances and health protocols before they can be repatriated, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said Thursday.Cacdac, who recently returned from New York for the International Migration Review Forum, said the situation involving the vessel has become a matter of global concern that requires coordination among several governments and health authorities.The MV Hondius, which is currently bound for the Canary Islands, was allowed by Spanish authorities to dock there following reports of hantavirus infections among passengers. Latest reports showed that three passengers had died while at least one had been hospitalized.“Based on the last report, pinayagan silang magdaong sa Canary Islands with the 38 Filipino crew on board,” Cacdac said. “All 38 Filipino crew have reportedly not been afflicted.”The DMW chief stressed, however, that the Filipino crew cannot yet immediately return home despite their desire to do so.“Well, they really want to get out of the ship and go home. So, that&#x27;s also our goal,” he said. “As I said, we need to give the proper medical authorities and the processes, the clearances and protocols time to take shape, as well as, to be implemented.&quot;Cacdac emphasized that repatriation would depend on guidance from health experts and international medical protocols.“And rest assured, there will be proper medical protocols,” he said. “They will just have to go through the proper medical clearances and protocols before they can safely return home.”He said the DMW is coordinating closely with the Department of Health (DOH), led by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, following instructions from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.“DMW and DOH, as per directive of the President, have joined forces here already,” Cacdac said. He added that the situation involves the World Health Organization, the Spanish government, and authorities in the Canary Islands.“It&#x27;s not just a simple OFW welfare case. This is a situation of a global concern, global scale,” Cacdac said. While the Filipino crew members continue to work aboard the vessel, the DMW chief said medical safeguards are in place.“Yes, you&#x27;re right, they continue to work. However, there are proper medical protocols also to observe,” he said. “And that our seafarers, our 38 seafarers, will not be in harm&#x27;s way in terms of exposing them to the virus. Cacdac acknowledged that the government still lacks detailed information on how the crew members were medically assessed as virus-free, but said assurances came from the manning agency and the ship owner.“We had been assured by the manning agency and the ship owner, who would be the best to know what goes on board, that our 38 Filipino seafarers had not been afflicted,” he said. “But that doesn&#x27;t mean that they did not go through some form of medical testing.”The DMW chief also said the government has started reaching out to the families of the affected crew members.“We are in contact with the seafarers on board through the manning agent and the ship owner. So, we know their situation on board,” he said. “We are also reaching out to the families of the 38 and assure them of governmental support.”Cacdac added that the Department of Foreign Affairs, headed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, is also involved in monitoring the situation and preparing for possible repatriation efforts.<div> </div><div>7 Pinoy seafarers hurt in Hormuz drone attack</div>Aside from MV Hondius, the DMW also continue to monitor a Malta-flagged container ship that was targeted in a projectile attack in the Strait of Hormuz last May 5. According to Cacdac, CMA CGM San Antonio was damaged and 7 of its Filipino crew were injured and have been brought to a hospital.“It was an Iranian drone attack that hit the ship. There are several crew on board. Seven of them are Filipino crew, Filipino seafarers. All seafarers are okay. They are alive. They survived the attack. However, they suffered injuries one way or another,” he said. “Hindi natin sasabihin kung saan ito, but they are in a hospital being treated. Meron tayong apat sa kanila with relatively minor injuries. Tatlo in more serious condition.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/6/doh-filipinos-aboard-mv-hondius-show-no-signs-of-hantavirus-infection-1742">DOH: Filipinos aboard MV Hondius show no signs of Hantavirus infection</a></div>

The 38 Filipino crew members aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius want to return home but must first undergo strict medical clearances and health protocols before they can be repatriated, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said Thursday.

The 38 Filipino crew members aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius want to return home but must first undergo strict medical clearances and health protocols before they can be repatriated, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said Thursday.

38 Filipino crew of MV Hondius seek repatriation amid hantavirus infections

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38 Filipino crew of MV Hondius seek repatriation amid hantavirus infections

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 07, 2026 04:48 PM PHT

Read More:

MV Hondius

hantavirus

outbreak

seafarers

Canary Islands

DOH

DMW

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