MANILA - Manila Mayor Joseph ''Erap'' Estrada on Monday demanded the resignation of more than 600 traffic enforcers over allegations of extortion and their supposed failure to ease the traffic nightmare in the city.

Dennis Alcoreza, head of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, said 23 traffic aides have tendered their courtesy resignations so far.

JUST IN: mahigit 600 traffic enforcers ng Manila Traffic & Parking Bureau,pinagreresign ni Mayor Erap dahil sa kasong extortion

— Dennis Cabral Datu (@Dennis_Datu) November 28, 2016

Some 240 policemen from the Manila Traffic Enforcement Unit will temporarily man traffic in the city, Alcoreza said.

New traffic enforcers will be hired by a screening committee of the "Traffic Super Body", a multi-sectoral group created by Estrada on Monday.

The traffic body is composed of members from the Parents Teachers Association; port operators from the Asian Terminal Incorporated and International Container Terminal Services; and transport groups transport groups FEJODAP, Pasang Masda, One Toda, and the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines.

The hiring of new traffic enforces is also open to females, Estrada said.