Palace: Sacked police chief needed rest

MANILA, Philippines - He just needed rest – very badly.

Malacañang yesterday supported the decision of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to relieve the police official who said the death toll in Super Typhoon Yolanda could reach 10,000.

Eastern Visayas police (PRO8) regional director Chief Superintendent Elmer Soria was quoted by local and international news agencies as saying that 10,000 people could have perished in Tacloban alone, citing the extent of the damage brought by the monster storm in the city.

Soria incurred the ire of government officials for expressing his view on Yolanda’s rampage in Eastern Visayas where the PNP decided to relieve him of his duties.

“The PNP chief decided to relieve him because, apparently, that particular police officer has been through so much stress at and that he really needed a rest,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Valte refused to comment on reports that Soria was administratively sanctioned for his statements.

When pressed further on the real reason for Soria’s relief, Valte said “Soria was stressed.”

“Normally, they really have stress debriefing, but let me ask Senior Superintendent Reuben Sindac (about this),” referring to the PNP spokesman.

PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima clarified that the reported 10,000 deaths remain unconfirmed.

Purisima said he would call the attention of Soria to verify the basis for his statement.