Several police execs may also be recalled due to stress

MANILA, Philippines - Several police commanders in typhoon Yolanda devastated areas in eastern Visayas may be recalled to the Philippine National Police headquarters and rest for a moment to de-stress from the traumatic experience, an official said on Wednesday.

Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP public information office chief, said the PNP leadership have sent to the storm-battered region around nine psychologists to assess the state of mental health of the police officials.

"Meron kailangan sigurong pang break-in,  initially habang hindi pa sila naalis dun , nagpadala na kami ng siyam na psychologist para doon. Kapag hindi nakuha sa ganun, they will have to be replaced," Sindac told reporters during the sidelines of the media forum in Greenhills, San Juan City.

Sindac said experts call the condition as "acute stress reaction."

He said he has yet to come up with an initial figure of how many police officials would be recalled.

"Some may need to be recalled. Wala pa tayong estimate kung ilan pa yung susunod," Sindac added.

He also said that Eastern Visayas police regional director Chief Superintendent Elmer Soria is now stationed at the PNP headquarters after being recalled from his post.

"Doon muna isya (Soria) while he is recovering and then bibigyan muna siya ng fresh assignment. Hindi naman niya kasalanan eh," Sindac said.

The PNP leadership had recalled Soria days after he was quoted as saying that around 10,000 people were killed  after Yolanda struck the areas in the region.

Sindac, however, reiterated that Soria's recall was due to "stress".