Pura Luka Vega arrested anew after fresh complaint from religious group

Pura Luka Vega. Image from Instagram

Updated 9:14 p.m.

Pura Luka Vega was once again arrested by the Manila Police District on Thursday, Feb. 29, three days after they posted bail worth P720,000 for six counts of alleged violation of a statute on immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows.

The arrest of the embattled drag performer, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente and who goes by the pronouns they/them, was first reported by DZME News before it was confirmed by “Drag Den Philippines” director Rod Singh.

“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).

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

The P720,000 bond paid by Pura Luka was for the case six counts of violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code (Immoral Doctrines, obscene publications and exhibition and indecent shows), in relation to Section 6 of R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) lodged before the Pasay City regional trial court (RTC) after the city prosecutor found partial merit in the complaint filed by the Kapisanan ng mga Social Media Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.

The new case for which they were arrested on Thursday was based on the warrant issued by the Quezon City RTC for three counts of the same crime filed by three churches affiliated with the Philippines For Jesus Movement, which had caused their arrest in October last year.

Singh further said that Pura Luka is in need of P360,000 for their temporary liberty.

Prior to their arrest, Pura Luka, who celebrated their 34th birthday last February 27, was scheduled to attend a Drag Den show on Thursday night.

Pura Luka’s arrest was rooted in the complaint of the Philippines for Jesus Movement (PJM), while the recommended bail for their release is worth P360,000.

“Last Feb. 26, Pura Luka Vega posted bail worth P720,000 for six counts of alleged violation of Article 201,” the filmmaker wrote, saying this came after the Pasay City prosecutor found “partial merit” in the complaint pushed for by the Kapisanan ng mga Social Media Broadcaster ng Pilipinas.

The drag performer previously received a complaint from PJM in July 2023 weeks after their “Ama Namin” clip went viral on social media, which is also a violation of Article 201.

Pura Luka was released on bail in October 2023 where they made their appearance at a drag show, performing a lip-sync rendition of Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli’s “The Prayer” with their mother. They maintained that their drag performance is a form of art.