Following a contentious performance of the prayer Ama Namin (Our Father), Philippines' drag queen Pura Luka Vega was taken into custody at their home in Sampaloc, Manila.
The drag artist is charged with "immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows," in accordance with the order issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 36. Bail was imposed by the trial court at P72,000.
Vega's given name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente, whose pronouns are they/them.
#FreePuraLukaVega: A Trending Topic After Arrest
According to local media GMA News, Vega is now being detained at the Manila Police District Station 3 in the district of Quiapo. There are thousands of tweets with the hashtag #FreePuraLukaVega, making it a top trend on X (previously Twitter) as of Wednesday night, October 4.
Drag Den founder Rod Singh revealed on X that the drag queen had skipped out on multiple preliminary investigations of criminal charges brought against them in Manila. Even though a move to reopen was filed on the same day as the arrest warrant, it was nevertheless issued. Singh said that no subpoena was issued by Manila prior to Vega's detention.
Singh said the drag queen will post bail on Thursday, October 5.
See Also : Pura Luka Vega Persona Non-Grata Creates Debate Among Filipinos; List of Locations, Other Details
The Controversial Ama Namin' Drag Performance
On July 10, Vega uploaded a video of themselves doing drag to a punk remix of a religious song, Ama Namin, while costumed as the Black Nazarene. This was the first of many religious performances by Vega to capture the attention of the country.
Since then, Vega has been charged with violating the Revised Penal Code, especially Article 201, or on "immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows." They have been proclaimed persona non grata in at least 15 towns and municipalities in the Philippines.
In a report by Spot.Ph, church authorities associated with the Philippines for Jesus Movement (PJM) and the religious organization Hijos del Nazareno, responsible for transporting the Black Nazarene to the Quiapo Church for each Traslacion, both filed complaints on this basis.
In addition to a fine of P6,000 (about $100) to P12,000 (about $200), offenders face a possible jail sentence of up to six years. In 2017, the penalty was raised to between P20,000 (about $350) and P200,000 (about $3500), according to the Cybercrime Prevention Act, also known as Republic Act No. 10951.
Both Senate President Miguel Zubriri and Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva had earlier requested Vega's arrest under the Revised Penal Code.
Vega has been documenting their experience with the several criminal allegations against them on Instagram. On September 18, they wrote in the caption: "In the end, I think I will be fine as long these localities while deeming me for my art and my speech as unwelcome, are also giving their constituents their best in these truly challenging times."
