Pura Luka Vega Arrested Following a New Complaint from a Religious Group
PURA LUKA VEGA – Drag artist Pura Luka Vega faces fresh arrest following a complaint by religious group.
Pura Luka Vega, also known as Amadeus Fernando Pagente, and identified with the pronouns they/them, faced another arrest by the Manila Police District on Thursday, February 29. This occurred just three days after they had posted bail amounting to P720,000 for six alleged violations related to immoral doctrines, obscene publications, and exhibitions, as well as indecent shows.
The arrest was initially reported by DZME News and later confirmed by Rod Singh, the director of “Drag Den Philippines.” “Luka was arrested after a QC Court issued a warrant of arrest against them for three counts (of the alleged crime),” Singh wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Pura Luka’s payment of a P720,000 bond was associated with a case involving six counts of violating Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code (pertaining to Immoral Doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows). This case was filed before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) under Section 6 of R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) following a complaint with partial merit from the Kapisanan ng mga Social Media Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.
The recent arrest on Thursday was related to a warrant issued by the Quezon City RTC, involving three counts of the same charges filed by three churches affiliated with the Philippines For Jesus Movement. This warrant led to Pura Luka’s arrest in October of the previous year. Rod Singh mentioned that Pura Luka requires P360,000 for temporary freedom.
Before the arrest, Pura Luka, who celebrated their 34th birthday on February 27, had plans to participate in a Drag Den show on Thursday night.
Pura Luka’s arrest stemmed from a complaint by the Philippines for Jesus Movement (PJM), with the recommended bail for release set at P360,000.
Regarding the arrest of Pura Luka Vega today.
To those who would like to help Luka for their bail and legal fees, NAIA @brianblack_ will handle the donation drive. #DragIsArt #DragIsNotACrime pic.twitter.com/OirKIGl1G7
— rod singh #DragDenPHS2 on Prime Video (@iamrodafrog) February 29, 2024
On February 26, Pura Luka Vega secured bail amounting to P720,000 for six alleged violations of Article 201. The filmmaker stated that this action followed the Pasay City prosecutor’s recognition of “partial merit” in the complaint advocated by the Kapisanan ng mga Social Media Broadcaster ng Pilipinas.
The drag artist had previously faced a complaint from PJM in July 2023, a few weeks after their “Ama Namin” video gained widespread attention on social media, constituting a violation of Article 201.
Pura Luka secured release on bail in October 2023, and during their appearance at a drag show, they performed a lip-sync rendition of Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli’s “The Prayer” alongside their mother. They emphasized that their drag performance is an expression of art.