The Philippine government will repatriate more than 500  Filipinos on board a cruise ship stranded off  in a California coast in the United States due to the  coronavirus disease (COVID-19) fears.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Philippine government would grant if a request for repatriation was made.  

“Kung hinihingi nila ang repatriation, we will do it. Wala pa akong naririnig,”  Panelo said.

More than 500 out of the estimated 3,500 people on board the Grand Princess cruise ship are Filipinos.

The ship was quarantined following the death of a previous passenger due to the novel coronavirus.  

Some of its passengers have displayed flu-like symptoms.  

“Ang Amerika napakagaling sa containment. I think the protocols of the US are topnotch,” Panelo said.

Last month, a total of 445 Filipinos aboard the coronavirus-stricken cruise ship Diamond Princess, which had docked in Japan, were sent back to the Philippines.  

These repatriates are currently under quarantine at the New Clark City in Tarlac./Stacy Ang