COTABATO CITY, July 13 -- Police have intensified anti-crime operations by setting up more checkpoints and increasing patrols in crime-prone areas following three separate shootings over the weekend that left four people dead.

"Our personnel are conducting intensified patrols, checkpoints and intelligence-driven operations to identify and apprehend the perpetrators," city police director Col. Jibin Bongcayao said in a radio interview Monday.

Mayor Bruce Matabalao said the city government is fully supporting law enforcement efforts.

"I have directed law enforcement to intensify operations, increase police visibility, strengthen intelligence gathering and pursue those responsible with urgency," Matabalao said in a statement Monday.

"We ...