Drag artist freed on bail

MANILA, Philippines — Pura Luka Vega has been freed from detention by police in Manila, the Manila Police District (MPD) reported yesterday.

The court handling Vega’s case issued a release order yesterday morning, according to MPD director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon.

Vega, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagante, was in the custody of the MPD’s Sta. Cruz station since his arrest on Oct. 4, as ordered by the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 36.

On Oct. 6, “Drag Den Philippines” program director Rod Singh said the court granted Vega’s motion for bail.

RTC Branch 36 is set to hear the case against Vega for alleged obscenity done online, or Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code amended by Presidential Decrees 960 and 969 and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Previously, the Hijos del Nazareno Central of Quiapo Church filed a complaint against Vega after his drag performance of the rock version of Filipino Catholic hymn Ama Namin while dressed as the Black Nazarene. The devotees’ group described the act as a “direct attack on Jesus Christ.”

Vega maintained that he did not intend to mock any religion.

Various groups and individuals, mostly from the LGBTQIA+ community and Vega’s fellow drag queens, condemned Vega’s arrest, insisting “drag is not a crime.”

Amend law

Meanwhile, New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) called for the amendment of the law that served as basis for the charges against Vega.

Ryan Thoreson, HRW specialist on LGBT rights, said that while Vega’s performance may be offensive for some, “it is protected expression under international human rights law.”

“Freedom of expression includes artistic expression that offends, satirizes or challenges religious beliefs,” Thoreson said.

He cited a statement from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the freedom of religion or belief, who said that “states may not impose punishment for insults, criticism or giving offence to religious ideas, icons or places, nor can laws be used to protect the feelings of religious communities.”

Thoreson said Vega’s performance, however controversial, does not fall into the exceptions on when freedom of expression can be limited, such as for reasons of national security or public order.

“Lawmakers in the Philippines should amend or eliminate Article 201 to ensure that religious beliefs cannot be misused to deny others their human right to free expression,” he added.