An elderly traffic enforcer was mobbed by angry tricycle drivers during a clearing operation in the Philippines.

The officer Jose Zabala, 65, was conducting the operation against e-trikes prohibited from driving along a major highway in the city on June 28, when several hostile drivers approached to confront him and his team.

Zabala's employer, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), said the group of men allegedly seized one of the vehicles being impounded by his team, leading to the violent brawl.

Pasay City Police Chief Police Colonel Cesar Paday-os said: 'One of the residents was called out for his use of an e-trike in the area.'

The agency added the banned tricycle had already been loaded onto the MMDA truck when the attackers began beating down on the officers.

Footage shows how the drivers mauled the helpless traffic enforcer and his colleague, who continued to receive a brutal bashing even as he lay on the ground.

Zabala said: 'We were already returning the e-trike and they were taking it back. But when we were about to leave, they threw punches at one of my men. Of course, I couldn't stand back and let him be assaulted.

'I pleaded with them to stop since he was already on the ground. Then they turned their attention to me.'

Pasay police said they are now investigating the identities of the mob members, who will be charged for causing serious physical injury.

The MMDA has also condemned the attack but said it would further reinforce the clearing operations.

Zabala said: 'I used to be part of the Army Special Forces. I consider myself tough. But this time, I was quite shaken.'

He added that he will pursue legal proceedings to 'teach the culprits a lesson'.