468 / 494
467
Who was responsible for what?
14.123.
It was accepted that the JDF was to lead the effort to get into
Tivoli Gardens and capture Coke. The forward troops under the command of the
sector commanders were mostly comprised of JDF personnel although some JCF
members were operating
in tandem
with the forward troops and formed part
thereof. The function of the forward troops involved breaking down barricades
and embattlements to secure entry. Once dismantling had been achieved and
the forward troops were inside Tivoli Gardens, the next phase of operation
required them to “secure the sectors”.
14.124.
In the words of Maj. Luis Cheverria in respect of sector 1:
“ ‘securing the sector’ meant that we controlled the streets
and about 6 to 8 high-rise buildings in our sector which we
occupied. We got on the roofs. In relation to apartments, it
meant that no persons were hiding in each apartment…We
would have gone into each apartment. We would have
made sure that no gunmen were inside houses. It took
about 3 hours to control all 8 high-rise buildings. Hostile fire
had dissipated by 3.25 p.m. I personally made a tour to
ensure that everything was in order… Checkpoints were
established by 5.00 p.m.”
14.125.
In that evidence, Maj. Cheverria set out the basics of house
clearing.
14.126.
So far as searches were concerned, these were led by the JCF who
followed behind the JDF forward troops. DSP Tabannah said –
“After the JDF, I should have been the first into Dee Cee
Avenue, McKenzie Drive and Java...I was to carry out
searches.”
14.127.
By 2.00 p.m. Maj. Kennedy and Alpha Company of 2JR were at the
Tivoli High School. By 4.35 p.m. sector 2 was secured and by 5.00 p.m. he
called DSP Turner and told him that he could enter the sector.