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MANILA (UPDATE) — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday said an allegation that he protected officers accused of recycling confiscated narcotics is part of a "war of perception" with his former colleague Benjamin Magalong, whom he accused of envy.

Magalong, in a Senate inquiry on Tuesday, claimed Albayalde tried to stop the implementation of a dismissal order against 13 Pampanga cops, all former subordinates, for allegedly pilfering 160 kilos of shabu in an operation against a suspected Chinese drug lord.

"This is a war of perception, this is a war of personality. My personality here is being attacked. Probably meron siyang (Magalong) hindi natupad sa sarili niya, naiinggit siya or what, I really don't know," Albayalde told radio DZMM.

(He probably has something that he did not achieve for himself, he's envious or what.)

"Lumalabas po na reputasyon ang tinitira niya, karakter ng isang tao, without any documents. These are all accusations ng paninira sa aming organisasyon. If you destroy the PNP, sino bang titirahin mo? Of course, the head," he added.

(He's destroying my reputation, the character of someone, without any documents. These are all accusations to destroy our organization. If you destroy the PNP, who will you hit? Of course, the head.)

A dismissal order, he said, was issued for his subordinates in 2014 but languished for 2 years at the PNP national headquarters, when Magalong was still head of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and later, Director for Investigation and Detective Management.

Camp Crame returned the dismissal order for implementation to the Central Luzon police in 2016, but Albayalde's former subordinates filed a motion for reconsideration, which eventually downgraded their penalty to demotion, he said.

Albayalde said he was never charged because there was no evidence directly linking him to the case.

He also noted that Magalong, who is now mayor of Baguio City, did not bring up any accusation against him when he was appointed as chief of the Metro Manila police and later, the whole PNP.

"Iyon po ang pinagtatakahan natin (that puzzles us): why now? The timing is very questionable," said Albayalde.

The PNP chief is set to retire on Nov. 8. He said he has asked senators to reveal what Magalong told them in an earlier executive session about "ninja cops" who allegedly recycle narcotics.

Magalong, for his part, said he constantly sought updates on Albayalde's subordinates, but only learned about their dismissal order after his own retirement from the police force.

He also denied asking any favor from Albayalde.

• Magalong denies asking Albayalde for favors

Magalong was detained in 2006 for allegedly leading a coup against then former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, but was absolved of the charges.

Albayalde said Magalong was on floating status until 2010 and "one time, he called me for a little favor." The PNP chief refused to give additional details.