Dela Rosa’s ‘mistah’ to help defend drug war in court

CAMP DANGWA, BENGUET—Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, chief of the Philippine National Police, reassigned his “mistah” at the Philippine Military Academy, Chief Supt. Elmo Sarona, to a key position at Camp Crame to help defend the antidrug operation “Double Barrel” at the Supreme Court, according to Chief Supt. Edward Carranza, new Cordillera police director.

Sarona, a lawyer, took over as head of the PNP directorate for investigation and detective management (DIDM) on Monday.

The DIDM is tasked to “assist and advise the PNP chief in the direction, control, coordination and supervision of the investigation of major and sensational crimes,” according to the PNP website.

“He (Dela Rosa) said Elmo would be doing a good job of defending the policemen,” Carranza said, referring to two petitions filed last year in the Supreme Court that challenged the legality of the antidrug campaign.

Carranza, formerly of the PNP health services, replaced Sarona.

He was a member of the PMA “Sinagtala” Class of 1986, together with Dela Rosa and Sarona. —KARLSTON LAPNITEN