Cotabato: 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.

According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Bruce Matabalao stated that 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. He further assured, "We will provide our full support until those behind these crimes are identified, arrested and brought to justice."

The shootings, which occurred Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday morning, resulted in four fatalities and six injuries. Among the injured was an off-duty police officer assigned to Maguindanao del Norte who was passing through the area when one of the shootings occurred. He was struck by a stray bullet and is currently in stable condition at a hospital.

Bongcayao mentioned that the individuals involved in the violence were from neighboring towns in Maguindanao del Norte and not residents of Cotabato City. Police suspect that the attacks were the result of a "rido," or family feud, originating in their hometowns and spilling over into the city.

Bongcayao also urged residents to cooperate with authorities by providing information that could assist in identifying and arresting the suspects.