Manila, April 24 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to protect commuters from "abusive" drivers, Malacanang said on Thursday.

This was after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued show cause orders to owners of 1,165 vehicles that failed roadworthiness inspections.

"There is a directive coming from the President that there should be more protection to the commuters, to everyone, from abusive drivers," Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

The LTO also disclosed that about 671 drivers were suspended for various reasons.

Of the 671 drivers, 574 were suspended because of "road crash incidents resulting ...