MANILA, Philippines -- Police Director General Avelino Razon insisted Friday it was Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr., a key witness in the Senate probe into the national broadband network (NBN) deal, who asked the Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO) for protection against Senate security officers out to arrest him.

"Hindi kami nagsisinungaling?nagtataka kami kung bakit binabaliktad kami ngayon [We are not lying?we are wondering why things are being twisted around]," Razon said in an interview.

He also maintained personnel of the PSPO fetched Lozada from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as soon as the NBN witnesses returned from abroad Tuesday.

This was contrary to Lozada's account that the men who fetched him did not appear to be policemen.

The Philippine National Police chief also disputed Lozada?s observation that Razon was apparently under orders to lie.

"Hindi rin po tayo napipilitang magsinungaling, totoong mga pangyayari lang ang isinisiwalat natin [Neither is it true we are being forced to lie, we are only telling the truth]," Razon said, adding he is willing to face any inquiry on his and Lozada?s version of events.

Read the Running Account of Lozada's testimony.