After cowing several police checkpoints on the edge of the capital with threats of machine-gun and artillery fire,[22] the plotters put rebel sentries in their place to seal off Saigon from incoming or outgoing traffic. They then captured communication facilities in the capital, including the post office, to prevent messages from being sent in or out.[17][23] As his troops took over the city, Phát sat in a civilian vehicle and placidly said "We'll be holding a press conference in town this afternoon at 4 p.m."[17] He said "This is nothing to worry about. Just a little operation against some politicians."[19][22] The rebels set up their command post in the Saigon home of General Duong Ngoc Lam, who had been removed from his post as Mayor of Saigon by Khánh.[22] Lam had commanded the Civil Guard during Diệm's presidency and was one of his trusted supporters.[1]