Picture: Instagram/@puralukavega
Embattled drag performer Pura Luka Vega claimed their arrest in Manila on Wednesday was achieved with haste and was “unfair” for them who didn’t obtain a subpoena to seem in courtroom to reply to prices of “immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent reveals.”
Pura Luka, whose actual title is Amadeus Fernando Pagente and goes by the pronouns they/them, informed reporters upon their arrest that they weren’t given “sufficient time to submit the paperwork” earlier than the Manila regional trial courtroom the place they’re going through the costs filed by the Hijos del Nazareno, a bunch of devotees of the Black Nazarene.
“It was a bit fast. My facet of the story or the movement, hindi naman ako nabigyan ng sufficient time to submit the paperwork we’ve been eager to submit,” they stated. “We didn’t obtain the subpoena.”
Pura Luka stated their subpoena was not delivered to their present handle.
“Instantly, when the media took protection of that incident, we went to Manila Metropolis Corridor and said our case that certainly, we didn’t obtain the subpoena as a result of it was not addressed to my present handle. I don’t know if that was taken under consideration… I do really feel prefer it’s unfair, however we’ve been handed the warrant of arrest, so, okay sige. It was a little bit of a shock,” they stated.
The “Drag Den Philippines” alum stated they confronted all prices filed towards them head-on, however that it was nonetheless “type of a shock to be handed the warrant of arrest” since they stated they’ve been attempting to submit a movement to reopen the case in Manila.
Other than the case in Manila, Pura Luka can also be going through three felony prices earlier than the Quezon Metropolis Prosecutor’s Workplace in step with the viral “Ama Namin” video the place they might be seen doing a drag efficiency of the Black Nazarene whereas singing the Lord’s Prayer.
“Right here in Manila, ‘yung sa case na na-file sa’kin (within the case that was filed towards me), I didn’t obtain the subpoena,” they stated.
“Instantly, after the case was ongoing, I didn’t know this so I instantly went there and Manila Metropolis Corridor has been type naman. We’ve been attempting to submit the movement to reopen the case and submit the counter affidavit. It was type of a shock now to be handed the warrant of arrest,” they continued.
In the meantime, Pura Luka additionally acquired a subpoena issued by the Anti-Organized Transnational Crimes Division of the NBI following a criticism filed by Jesus Is Lord chief Bro.Eddie Villanueva, who can also be a Social gathering-Checklist consultant of CIBAC on the Home of Representatives.
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‘Blown out of proportion’
Regardless of their arrest, Pura remained agency of their stand that their efficiency was meant to be a narrative of Jesus “being one with the queer folks.”
“I believe the reception was a bit blown out of proportion as a result of I stand by what I stated. Drag is a type of storytelling. It’s actually simply telling a narrative the place I envisioned Jesus being one with the queer folks. Principally, that’s simply the intent of the efficiency,” they stated.
Pura Luka claimed their intention was to not mock, although additionally they wouldn’t prefer to invalidate the sentiments of those that had been offended by their drag act. “In the event that they really feel damage or they really feel offended, it’s their proper to really feel such,” they stated in an interview.
The drag performer additionally identified that the persona non grata tag made towards them have been an “overreaction to the incident.”
“With the declarations of persona non grata, I believe it’s an overreaction to the incident. Like I stated within the earlier statements I had, I’ve all the time been open for dialogue in the event that they actually wished to listen to my facet of the story,” they stated.
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“Sadly, that they had interpretations of my efficiency. They took it out of context and with the declarations of persona non grata, I do know it’s non-binding. It’s mainly only a assertion of me not being welcome to a specific locality. However then once more, I don’t know if I did contribute an excessive amount of to the locality that declared me persona non grata,” they additional stated.
Pura Luka is required to publish bail of P72,000 for his or her launch. “Drag Den Philippines” director Rod Singh, who goes by the pronouns she/her, has since raised P421,252.88, as of Oct. 5 at 12 midday.
As of 12nn. Thanks in your donations. Na-cover na din natin ang bills ng flight ng Nanay ni Luka mula probinsya papuntang Maynila.
We’ll even be posting updates from PLV’s authorized workforce later at present. #FreePuraLukaVega pic.twitter.com/HHSyaeoZiK
— rod singh (@iamrodafrog) October 5, 2023
A examine with the Manila Police District Station 3 in Sta. Cruz confirmed that Pura Luka will stay incarcerated in a single day onThursday as their lawyer didn’t course of his bail earlier than the courtroom’s docket closed. EDV
