‘APPALLING’ | Groups slam arrest of drag artist Pura Luka Vega over viral ‘Ama Namin’ performance

March 1, 2024 , 11:57 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(March 1, 2024) – A popular drag artist was arrested once again on Thursday in relation to their viral “Ama Namin” performance in a development criticized by progressive organizations.

Pura Luka Vega, whose legal name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente, was charged with a violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code on immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows.

It was posted by drag director Rod Singh on X and was confirmed by the Manila Police District. According to Singh, the arrest “stemmed from the complaint filed against (Pura Luka Vega) by three churches affiliated with the Philippines for Jesus Movement.”

The bail was set at P360,000. Friends of Pura Luka Vega are currently holding a donation drive to help raise funds for their release. They likewise criticized the arrest of Pura Luka Vega. The hashtag #DragIsNotACrime is among the top trending topics on X today.

“This is very heartbreaking,” said Marina Summers on X. “I am deeply appalled that after a few months mayroon pa ring ganitong charges against PLV. There are more actual pressing issues na mas kailangan aksyunan. This has to stop.”

Progressive groups like Bahaghari also lamented the development.

“Pura Luka Vega’s case is an attack on LGBTQI people’s expression on their relationship with faith and religion, but more than this, it is an attack on our democratic and Constitutionally protected rights which all too quickly vanish for LGBTQI Filipinos,” said Bahaghari.

In a statement, the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP) questioned why Pura Luka Vega was charged and arrested.

SCMP national chairperson Kej Andres noted that there are other issues and injustices that deserve condemnation.

“Christian youth question the aggressiveness of their (complainant’s) actions while lacking condemnations over legitimate issues of our time, like growing income inequality, human rights violations, and threats of ruling politicians to extend their terms,” said Andres.

Andres also highlighted what SCMP described as a “bigoted attack against the LGBTQ+ community” since there are also many other “performers and comedians who have mocked religious symbols” but were not subjected to the same experience as that of Pura Luka Vega.

“We ask fellow Christians: What would Jesus do? A God of mercy and justice, he would not condemn the LGBTQ+ and their expression. Rather, He would definitely condemn the hellish conditions experienced by the poor, those who set up these societal conditions, and those who choose to overlook the least, the last, and the lost,” said Andres.

Pura Luka Vega was already arrested last October over the same charge that stemmed from the viral “Ama Namin” performance they showcased last July. Several local government units also declared them persona non grata after deeming the performance offensive.

Following the first arrest, Human Rights Watch stressed that the charge should be dropped because it violates free expression.

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