Drag performer Pura Luka Vega has been released from police custody on Saturday afternoon, October 7, 2023, after successfully posting bail.
This is confirmed by P/Lt. Col. Leandro Gutierrez, the Chief of Manila Police District (MPD) Station 3.
As reported by CNN Philippines, MPD spokesperson PMaj. Philipp Ines discloses that Pura Luka is released from the Santa Cruz Police Station at precisely 2:00 p.m.
Pura Luka, whose legal name is Amadeus Fernando Pagante, was arrested on Wednesday, October 4, due to the complaint filed by a group of Black Nazarene devotees regarding his controversial punk-rock rendition of the worship song Ama Namin, also known as the Lord’s Prayer last July 10.
According to earlier police reports, the arrest warrant was issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 36 in Manila.
The charges were based on violations of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, with a recommended bail set at PHP 72,000.
Similarly, on July 31, leaders of Christian churches under the umbrella group of Philippines for Jesus Movement (PJM) filed the same complaint before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
Aside from these complaints, Pura had been declared persona non grata by 12 cities and provinces—Maynila, Dinagat Islands, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, General Santos City in South Cotabato, and Nueva Ecija—as well as the municipalities of Floridablanca in Pampanga, Toboso in Negros Occidental, and Coron in Palawan.
OVERWHELMING SUPPORT
In the midst of this legal turmoil, there has been an outpouring of support for Pura Luka from LGBTQIA+ rights activists, fellow drag queens, and numerous other supporters who have united in solidarity for fund-raising events.
Rod Singh, the director of Drag Den, took initiative by opening channels for donations to support Pura Luka.
Remarkably, as of Friday at 1:00 p.., they had managed to raise over PHP 500,000 in donations, demonstrating the immense community support rallying behind Pura during this challenging time.
