Arrested Pura Luka Vega not sorry: ‘I have not committed any crime’

Controversial drag artist Pura Luka Vega, who was arrested by the Manila Police District on 4 October based on a court warrant, maintained his innocence in an interview with Daily Tribune inside his detention cell at MPD -PS 3 on Thursday afternoon, saying it was not his intention to hurt anyone's feelings.

" I am willing to face the charges against me because I believe I have not committed any crime," said Vega, whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente, a senior health program officer of the Department of Health and and a resident of Sta Cruz, Manila.

His arrest was based on the warrant of arrest issued by Judge Czarina Samonte-Villanueva of Regional Trial Court Branch 36 Manila dated 4 October 2023 for for "immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows," with P72,000 as recommended bail.

The warrant was issued because Pagente had not appeared at his court hearing. But the drag artist said he had not received any notice of hearing or subpoena from the court, since the notice of hearing was sent by to his old address where he no longer stayed.

Pagente said he will ask the court through his lawyer for a motion to reopen the case. "Andoon na po tayo sa punto na dapat ko ihayag sa korte ang niloloob ko, that it is an art of expression as we are in the free country, and most of all I have not committed any crime."

Vega is currently detained at MPD-PS 3.