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By Vir B. Lumicao
A 20-year-old Filipino gay tourist was ordered jailed for
two months at Eastern court on Dec 7 after he pleaded guilty to soliciting sex for
a fee from an undercover police officer and for breaching his condition of
stay.
Gene Belonio, who is said to be a university student in the Philippines , appeared
before Magistrate Bina Chainrai wearing a miniskirt dress and sporting shoulder-length
hair.
He arrived in Hong Kong as
a tourist on Nov 27 and was allowed to stay until Dec. 11.
A report read out in court said that at about 12:57am on Dec 6, plainclothes officer Anthony
William Lothian was carrying out an anti-vice operation outside Wanchai Central Building 89 Lockhart Road
when he was approached by Belonio.
The transvestite reportedly offered the officer sex for
$1,000. When Lothian agreed, Belonio hailed a taxi and took the officer to a
hotel in Causeway
Bay
When they got to the hotel, Lothian identified himself as a
police officer and placed the defendant under arrest, the report said.
At the police station, Belonio was charged with “soliciting
for an immoral purpose,” a euphemism for prostitution, and “breach of condition
of stay” for working illegally.
Chainrai convicted Belonio after he pleaded guilty to both
charges.
In mitigation, the duty lawyer said the defendant came to Hong Kong to earn tuition money so he could finish his
course. The counsel said Belonio was remorseful and had admitted his guilt.
The magistrate meted the defendant a discounted two-month
sentence for each offense, to be served concurrently.
