The arrest of Pura Luka Vega, a provocative drag performance artist, has ignited a fierce online protest, with members and allies of the LGBTQ community rallying behind the embattled figure.
Vega was apprehended on Wednesday afternoon by the Manila Police District (MPD) as directed by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 36.
In a report by Radyo DZBB, authorities took Vega, whose birth name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente, from their residence in Sta. Cruz, Manila. Currently, Vega is in the custody of the MPD, facing charges related to “immoral doctrine, obscene publications and exhibition, and indecent shows.” The bail has been set at P72,000.
The hashtag #FreePuraLukaVega is now making waves on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, as LGBTQ community members and supporters of Pagente unite, proclaiming, “drag is not a crime!”
Ms. Eva, a verified X user and staunch supporter of Pagente, exclaimed, “How absurd and blatantly oppressive it is that months after that video, they are still coming for Luka?!? ITO ANG HINDI TAMA SA MATA NG DIYOS!! Pero first things first, let’s all help bail our sister out. Here’s the channels how we can help. Onti nalang! #FreePuraLukaVega #Dragisnotacrime.”
Rod Singh, another supporter, passionately declared, “DRAG IS ART! DRAG IS NOT A CRIME! #FreePuraLukaVega. Let’s help Luka cover their bail amounting to PHP 72,000.”
Ren Corporal pointed out the perceived injustice by stating, “Arnolfo Teves failed to attend his hearing multiple times. He has murder charges but he is still FREE. PLV is in jail BECAUSE OF A HARMLESS DRAG ACT and wasn’t able to attend her hearing for one time only. Now, where is fair judgement?”
However, not everyone shares the same sentiment, as critics of Pagente celebrated the drag artist’s arrest. Mr.Winwin_Situation, an X user and vocal Bongbong Marcos supporter, posted, “The consequences of being arrogant. #FreePuraLukaVega? NO! You should be locked up! Dasurv!!!”
Supporters of Marcos joined the chorus of criticism, with one user remarking, “Tama, isang public apology lang sana tapos na sana.”
This arrest comes after religious groups, such as the Philippines for Jesus Movement, accused the drag queen of violating Article 201 Section 2 of the Revised Penal Code and Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act. These allegations stem from Vega’s controversial drag performance as “Ama Namin” while dressed as Jesus Christ, which garnered significant criticism from religious organizations.
On September 8, Vega boldly visited the Quezon City Hall of Justice and took a selfie before facing the charges, expressing the belief that they were being persecuted due to their artistic expression and reiterating that “drag is not a crime.” Vega said, “Let me state and reiterate that Drag is NOT a crime. This experience has highlighted hypocrisy and is an education on hate. This is hate.”
In another X post on September 15, Vega shared, “I am still not in receipt of any notice regarding an alleged criminal case filed in Manila against me. In the past two weeks, I have been attending preliminary investigations in Quezon City for three criminal complaints. I have conferred with my volunteer lawyers as to the steps I need to take to also face the alleged charges in Manila.”
Adding to the controversy, several local government units, including General Santos City, Floridablanca, Pampanga, Laguna, Manila, Bukidnon, Toboso, Negros Occidental, Nueva Ecija, Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro, Occidental Mindoro, Dinagat Island, Lucena, Mandaue, Bohol, Marikina City, Oriental Mindoro, and Malolos, Bulacan, have declared Vega persona non grata.
The Daily Netizen 