Veteran development worker and civil society leader Estrella Flores-Catarata filed a civil case against 302nd IBde commanding officer Bgen. Joey A. Escanilla for damages from statements that vilified and Red-tagged her. The case was filed on April 23 in a court in Quezon City.

The complaint was based on Escanilla’s statement during an online press conference on April 30, 2024, where he accused Flores-Catarata a “Communist Terrorist Group” leader.

The general’s statements identifying Flores-Catarata and her organization Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya (SIBAT) as funders of “communist-terrorists” violate the Civil Code.

Atty. Tony La Viña and Bayan Muna Party-list second nominee Atty. Carlos Zarate represent Flores-Catarata.

Estrella Flores-Catarata is a licensed social worker and registered psychologist with a Master of Arts in Psychology. She served for two decades in various non-government organizations and government organizations focused on agrarian reform, sustainable agriculture, and community development. The development sector inin the Philippines and overseas recognizes her work.