Pura Luka Vega remains in police custody, receives over P500,000 donations

Pura Luka Vega. Image: Instagram/@dulcineapx via @officiallylukaluka

Pura Luka Vega’s motion for bail was granted on Friday, Oct. 6, but the drag artist will remain in police custody as the court was already closed for the processing of their release.

Drag queen Naia gave an update regarding Pura Luka’s detention via the former’s X page, also on Friday. Naia was among those who have been visiting Pura Luka at Manila Police Station 3 in Sta. Cruz.

“Pura Luka Vega will stay in police custody. The motion for bail was granted later this afternoon after a clarificatory hearing but unfortunately, the court is already closed for the submission of requirements for release,” Naia stated.

UPDATE: luka will stay in police custody. #freepuralukavega pic.twitter.com/YWlaSAIPTP

— naia (@brianblack_) October 6, 2023

Naia then announced that she and fellow drag queens will be having a fundraising event for Pura Luka on Sunday, Oct. 8.

“We will stand by our sister Pura Luka and fight fire with art!” she said. “Drag is not a crime; art cannot be censored. Spread the word.”

this sunday we will stand by our sister @puralukavega and fight fire with art! ❤️‍🔥 we will have artists selling merch and drag performances throughout the noon until the evening ✨ drag is not a crime; art cannot be censored. spread the word #freepuralukavega

poster by @hubineer pic.twitter.com/ndEqTI3aEk

— naia (@brianblack_) October 6, 2023

“Drag Den” director Rod Singh, who earlier opened donating channels for Pura Luka, also announced that they have raised over P500,000 in donations as of Friday afternoon.

1pm update

Thank you for your donations! 💕

For now, we are still waiting for the decision regarding our motion for bail. #FreePuraLukaVega pic.twitter.com/HgtdjWizGI

— rodina (@iamrodafrog) October 6, 2023

Pura Luka, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente and goes by the pronouns they/them, was arrested in Manila on Oct. 4 following charges of “immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows.” The drag artist’s bail is placed by the court at P72,000.

The arrest order stemmed from the complaint filed by devotees of the Black Nazarene led by the Hijos del Nazareno-Central over Pura Luka’s “Ama Namin” drag performance.

Pura Luka said they believe the arrest was “unfair” as they did not receive a subpoena on the criminal case. The drag artist further noted that they weren’t given “enough time to submit the documents” before the court.  /ra