MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he was standing by his claim that Naga City is a hotbed of shabu, after the Bicolano city expressed outrage over the chief executive’s accusation.

• Duterte hits Leni bailiwick: Naga was hotbed of shabu

• Naga City expresses ‘indignation’ over Duterte’s ‘hotbed of shabu’ claim

Duterte said it was Vice President Leni Robredo’s brother-in-law who “brought drugs to Bicol.”

Robredo hails from Naga City, where her husband, the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, had served as mayor.

“I stand by my word,” Duterte said in a speech during the 49th Charter Day celebration of Mandaue City.

The President was referring to Robredo’s brother-in-law Butch, who was accused by former Naga City councilor Luis Ortega of being involved in the drug trade.

Robredo called a "huge insult" Duterte's claim that her hometown Naga City was a shabu hotbed, and explained that the President's remark was a slap in the face of former and incumbent local officials who have worked hard to improve the city.

Robredo’s camp has also dismissed the claim against Butch as rehashed, and only aimed at tarnishing the image of the vice-president.

• Robredo camp hits 'zombie fake news'