A man on trial in Hong Kong over the death of his girlfriend has insisted he had no intention to kill when he assaulted her after a Christmas party more than three years ago.
Bernie Macatangay Valencia, 45, admitted on Friday before a High Court jury that he unlawfully killed Ivy Villaluz Quiabang, 40, after punching her in the head at a subdivided flat in Wan Chai’s Stone Nullah Lane on December 22, 2021.
But the Filipino’s lawyers argued the defendant did not intend to kill or inflict serious bodily harm when he committed the “dangerous” act.
“I plead not guilty to murder, but I plead guilty to manslaughter,” the defendant said via an interpreter during the arraignment.
In her opening statement, senior public prosecutor Human Lam Hiu-man said an argument ensued between Valencia and Quiabang after they returned to their flat from the Christmas party.
The altercation later turned violent and ended with the defendant landing several punches on the woman’s head, the court heard.
Lam said Quiabang was “visibly injured”, with bruises all over her face, adding she was unable to get up or eat properly.
