Pura Luka Vega arrested after complaint vs 'Ama Namin' performance

Drag queen Pura Luka Vega was arrested on Wednesday and is currently held under the custody of the Manila Police District Station 3 in Quiapo, Manila.

According to Manny Vargas' report on DZBB Super Radyo, a warrant of arrest was issued in accordance with a complaint filed against the artist following their viral "Ama Namin" performance.

Devotees of the Black Nazarene, Hijos del Nazareno, filed a case against Pura, saying that they violated Revised Penal Code Article 201 and that they attacked the religious beliefs of the devotees.

"Pura Luka Vega was arrested this afternoon after failing to attend the preliminary investigations of the criminal case filed against them in Manila," "Drag Den" creator Rod Singh said on X, (formerly Twitter).

Singh said that the arrest warrant was "issued today despite filing a motion to reopen today."

"There was no subpoena received by PLV or their team for the preliminary investigations in Manila. Meanwhile, PLV diligently attends their preliminary investigations in QC," she continued. "Drag is not a crime. Free Pura Luka Vega!"

In July, Pura also received a complaint filed by the leaders of the Philippines for Jesus Movement in Quezon City.

In an exclusive interview with GMA News Online, Pura Luka Vega said that their "intent was to embody a version of Christ that is one with the queer audience."

According to the drag queen, the "Ama Namin" remix wasn't meant to be disrespectful, and the song is their way to reconcile her Catholic faith with their queerness.

"I just want to create a narrative that despite all of these, Jesus, as the embodiment of God's love for all, does not forget about the oppressed, including the LGBTQIA+ community," they said.

—Carby Basina/Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA Integrated News