A retired general who was tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte as an alleged protector of drug lords said politics could have fueled the accusations against him.
Former Gen. Vicente Loot, who is incumbent mayor of Daanbantayan town in Cebu, said he had been a “perennial victim” of black propaganda since his wife entered politics.
READ: Duterte names top cops allegedly involved in illegal drug trade
“My wife kasi is a politican and every time I’m a victim of black propaganda dito sa amin sa Cebu even before I was promoted to higher rank,” Loot said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
“When I met her, mayaman na siya. Ever since pagpasok niya ng politika, nada-drag na ‘yung pangalan ko … Naging pulutan ako ng kalaban ng misis ko every time na may eleksyon,” he added.
Loot’s wife Maria Luisa also served as mayor of Daanbantayan, but was defeated in her reelection bid by another former mayor Augusto Corro in the 2013 polls. Loot won by only seven votes against Corro in the May elections.
READ: Loot wins Daanbantayan mayoral race
Loot said it would be “very illogical” to implicate his name in the illegal drugs trade as the last post assigned to him before he retired was not involved in combating illegal drugs.
Loot said he served as regional director of the anti-narcotics group in Cebu from 2000 to 2001 and received an award for his services.
READ: ‘General Diaz’ denies involvement in drugs, cites misinformation
Following Duterte’s announcement, the ex-general said he was hoping to be given a chance to clear his name and face any investigation, dismissing the President’s announcement as another “ugly rumor.”
“Because of that statement, I will be tried by publicity… Sana mabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na harapin ‘yung accuser para hindi naman ho kami ma-try by publicity… Alangan naman akong makipag-away ako sa kanya (Duterte),” Loot said.
“I am willing to face any investigation. I would be very happy if I will be given the chance to clear my name. Wala akong ginawa sa mga ipinararatang sa akin. Unfair to me and my family,” he added.
In his speech on Tuesday at the Philippine Air Force anniversary in Clark, Pampanga, Duterte named five police generals who were alleged coddlers of drug lords—Marcelo Garbo, Loot, Joel Pagdilao, a certain Diaz of Region 11, and Edgardo Tinio.
Asked about his coaccused Garbo, Loot said: “Ako in fairness to Garbo, kilala ko siya. Isa siya sa mga tao na hindi gagawa ng ganun, although may mga tao siya dati na under niya na nakikita kong may mga reports din, mga reports na rumors lang.”/rga
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