A Filipino official of the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu, Hawaii was reportedly killed by her estranged husband in her Ala Moana apartment, police reports say.
According to reports, the murdered woman was identified as Teresita Canilao, a 76-year-old “longtime local hire” of the Philippine Consulate of Honolulu.
Her husband, 81-year-old Rogelio Canilao, confessed to the crime of killing his wife after he called 911 at around 11:45 p.m. on Thursday (October 6).
He was then taken into custody by the Honolulu Police Department and charged with second-degree murder.
His bail was set at $1 million.
Hawaii State Senator Bennette Misalucha said she knew Teresita for more than 35 years as a secretary to the consul general.
“She was the secretary to the consul general, and consul generals came and went,” said Misalucha in a report by KHNL-KMGB.
“But Tessie was this bastion of stability there,” she added.
Paul Cortes, one of the consuls at the Philippine Consulate who served with Teresita from 2006 to 2013, spoke positively of her.
“She’d tell you everything about the history and how things could be harnessed to make the Filipino community and the consulate work even more closer together,” Cortes said.
Meanwhile, the Filipino community in Hawaii was shocked by the news, as some friends of Teresita say that she doesn’t talk much about her personal life.
“She never discussed her personal life with the community, and sometimes it’s good not to,” said her long-time friend Amelia Cabatu.
“But it’s also not good to not share what’s troubling you,” Cabatu added.
Out of respect for Teresita’s family, the Philippine consulate in Honolulu said that they would not make any further comment about the matter and would work with authorities as they investigate.
“Personally, I would rather remember her as she lived, not how she died,” Misalucha said.
“She did not deserve this,” she added.
Marvin Joseph Ang is a news and creative writer who follows developments on politics, democracy, and popular culture. He advocates for a free press and national democracy. Follow him on Twitter at @marvs30ang for latest news and updates. The views expressed are his own.
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