Pura Luka Vega |Manila PIO
Pura Luka Vega, an alum of “Drag Den Philippines,” was arrested after he was served a warrant of arrest on Wednesday, Oct. 4, months after their viral “Ama Namin” performance, which drew flak from religious groups and lawmakers.
Pura, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente and goes by the pronouns they/them, was arrested in Manila following charges of “immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows.”
The drag performer, who’s currently in custody at Manila Police Station 3, received a warrant of arrest today from acting presiding judge Czarina Encarnacion Samonte-Villanueva, despite filing a motion to reopen.
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Pura is required to post bail of P72,000 for their release, however, further details about their case remain unknown, as of this writing.
“Drag Den” director Rod Singh also spoke about Pura’s arrest on her X (formerly Twitter) account on the same day. It can be noted that the filmmaker goes by the pronouns she/her.
“Pura Luka Vega was arrested this afternoon after failing to attend the preliminary investigations of the criminal case filed against them in Manila. The arrest warrant was issued today despite filing a motion to reopen today. They are now in police custody,” she wrote.
ALSO READ: Pura Luka Vega goes to court, reiterates: ‘Drag is not a crime’
DRAG IS NOT A CRIME! FREE PURA LUKA VEGA! pic.twitter.com/9JILK27Aqp
— rodina (@iamrodafrog) October 4, 2023
“There was no subpoena received by PLV or their team for the preliminary investigations in Manila. Meanwhile, the PLV diligently attends their preliminary investigations in QC. Drag is not a crime. Free Pura Luka Vega,” she added.
Meanwhile, Pura’s “Drag Den castmate” Naia Black spoke about their arrest on their X page.
im so fucking disturbed today is supposed to be a celebration of the local drag scene but instead one of our sisters is in police custody!! FREE @puralukavega!!!!
— naia (@brianblack_) October 4, 2023
“Luka got arrested today. During ‘Drag Race PH’ finale. someones gotta say something [because] this is f*ck*d up!!!! im so f*ck*ng disturbed today is supposed to be a celebration of the local drag scene but instead one of our sisters is in police custody!! FREE @puralukavega!!!!” she wrote.
Since their viral “Ama Namin” performance in July, Pura was tagged as persona non grata or unwelcome person in 17 areas in the Philippines, as of this writing.