MANILA - A retired police official identified by President Rodrigo Duterte as a "protector" of illegal drug traders described the chief executive's accusation as black propaganda.

Former Police Chief Superintendent Vicente Loot, now the town mayor of Daanbantayan in Cebu province, told ANC's Top Story on Tuesday he has reason to believe that Duterte's claim is politically motivated.

READ: Duterte links 5 top cops to drug trade

"Ever since pagpasok niya sa politika, nada-drag na yung pangalan ko as protector, [for example] mayroon ba kaming shabu laboratory dito sa isla na dineclare niya as maliit na islang bato as [a drugs] sanctuary. Kung anu-ano ang lumalabas," he said.

Loot said his wife, former Mayor Malou Loot, is "one of the richest mayor(s) here in Cebu," but that she was already rich even before he met her.

"In fact, we’ve been a perennial and habitual [drugs] suspect every time may...eleksyon. Every time naman na lumalabas iyan, nanalo naman [sa eleksyon]," said Loot.

Although no less than President Duterte was the one who accused him of being a protector, Loot said he hopes he will be given a chance to defend himself in light of reports linking him to illegal drugs.

"Because of that statement, I will be tried by publicity and I hope I will be given the chance na madala ko naman yung mga bogus na complaints sa akin, at mapakita ko naman na kinlear ako ng Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force ng PNP because of the statement coming from the one who allegedly sent the letter-complaint," he said.

Loot said people in Cebu no longer believe the drug allegations because these reports only emerge whenever there's an election.

"We just shrug it off kasi kilala naman kami dito sa Cebu and hindi mo pwedeng itago yan, kahit sa kapwa naming pulis. I was never involved in drugs...," he said.

The last time he encountered a drug suspect was when he was Deputy Regional Director for Operations in the Visayas, when a drug lord was arrested under his watch.

He said, after his stint there, he remained in Camp Crame engaged in police training until his retirement.

"I am never involved in anti-drugs or anti-criminality campaign, so it is very illogical, na ako magiging protector. Saan ako magpo-protect?" he said.

He admitted, however, that in 2013, he was asked about a supposed complaint from then-Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez alleging that he was a protector of drug suppliers in Eastern Visayas.

"Pumunta ako sa office, pumunta ako doon, nakausap ko siya at ang mismong asawa niya, si Richard Gomez, na kanyang chief of staff. Pinakita ko yung report, they [Gomez couple] disowned it. Sabi nila, bogus ito, fake ito," he said.

Gomez's denial, said Loot, was used to clear him when he was investigated.