Drag artist Pura Luka Vega, real name Amadeus Fernando Pagante, was released on bail after receiving over P550,000 donations on Saturday, Oct. 7.
In a report by ABS-CBN, Police Lt. Col. Leandro Gutierrez, chief of the Manila Police District Station 3, confirmed Vega’s release through a photo showing the drag performer after posting of bail.
Vega was earlier arrested by Manila police in their house last week. The bail recommended for their alleged violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 was P72,000.
A church group sued Vega for their “Ama Namin” drag performance.
Pour of donations, support
After Vega’s arrest, Drag Den Philippines director Rod Singh opened donation channels for Vega on X (formerly Twitter) and collected P552,899.
1pm update
— rod singh (@iamrodafrog) October 6, 2023
Thank you for your donations! đ
For now, we are still waiting for the decision regarding our motion for bail. #FreePuraLukaVega pic.twitter.com/HgtdjWizGI
Meanwhile, fellow drag queen and first “Drag Den” winner Naia Black, spearheaded the “NKKLK: A Fundraising Show for Pura Luka Vega” held last Sunday, Oct. 8 to show support for Vega and call for their acquittal.
this sunday we will stand by our sister @puralukavega and fight fire with art! â¤ď¸đĽ we will have artists selling merch and drag performances throughout the noon until the evening ⨠drag is not a crime; art cannot be censored. spread the word #freepuralukavega
— naia free pura luka vega era (@brianblack_) October 6, 2023
poster by @hubineer pic.twitter.com/ndEqTI3aEk
Naia also posted on X following Vega’s release, stating that the “fight is not over.”
“This is just the start of our battle against anti-rights forces whose sole mission is to discriminate, oppress, and silence queer people,” Naia’s caption read.
this sunday we will stand by our sister @puralukavega and fight fire with art! â¤ď¸đĽ we will have artists selling merch and drag performances throughout the noon until the evening ⨠drag is not a crime; art cannot be censored. spread the word #freepuralukavega
— naia free pura luka vega era (@brianblack_) October 6, 2023
poster by @hubineer pic.twitter.com/ndEqTI3aEk
