Image: Instagram/@puralukavega
Pura Luka Vega was released on bail Saturday, Oct. 7, three days after they were arrested in Manila following charges of “immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows.”
Manila Police District spokesperson PMaj. Philipp Ines confirmed the drag artist’s release to INQUIRER.net.
Pura Luka’s motion for bail was granted on Friday, Oct. 6, but the drag artist remained in police custody as the court was already closed for the processing of their release.
The arrest order on Pura Luka, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente and who goes by the pronouns they/them, stemmed from the complaint filed by devotees of the Black Nazarene led by the Hijos del Nazareno-Central. The religious group filed the lawsuit after 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