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Pura Luka Vega surprised about warrant of arrest, did not receive subpoena

By GMA Integrated News

Drag queen Pura Luka Vega said they were surprised to be served a warrant of arrest on Wednesday after a religious group filed a complaint against their "Ama Namin" performance.

In Raffy Tima's report on "24 Oras," Wednesday, Pura said they knew about the case filed against them, but the warrant of arrest caught them unaware.

"I did not receive the subpoena. When we went there, sa ibang address po siya naibigay," they said.

Police said that Pura joined them peacefully.

"Para siguradong nandoon, nagpakilala muna bilang delivery riders. Noong nakita nila si Luka Vega, nagpakilala na silang pulis, binasahan naman siya ng rights niya, sinabi 'yung warrant of arrest against him," Manila Police District Station 3 Chief P/Lt. Col. Leandro Gutierrez.

Pura Luka Vega is currently held under the custody of the Manila Police District Station 3 in Quiapo, Manila. P72,000 is the bail set for the case.

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

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

"My intention was never to mock. I also would not like to invalidate their feelings. If they feel hurt or they feel offended, it's their right to feel such," the artist reiterated.

In an exclusive interview with GMA News Online, Pura previously 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 their 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/MGP, GMA Integrated News