The Indonesian Consul General in Davao City, Eko Hartono, admitted that the burning of reog art instruments was indeed carried out in Davao City, Philippines. This explanation was delivered by Eko when asked for clarification via e-mail.

In his letter to the Secretary General of the Jabodetabek Reog Association, Agus Setiyoko, Eko gave the reason that the news about the burning of a number of reog art instruments by the local Consulate General staff was true.

However, Consul General Eko Hartono, as quoted in an electronic message received by Agus, said that the burning had to be carried out because the 30-year-old art instrument was damaged and eaten by termites.

"Mr. Eko as the Indonesian Consul General in Davao even said that they were grateful for being able to communicate (via e-mail) with the reog community in Indonesia so that they could ask for input for the procurement of a number of new reog art instruments there," said Agus.

However, Agus said, the reog art lovers and actors in the country still need an official and open explanation that can be read in the national media so as not to continue to trigger disappointment or even anger from the reog community in Indonesia.

"The second letter that we submitted above is more of a reflection of the shock and disappointment of the Indonesian people, especially the reog artist community in the country over the incident of burning objects for the reog art," he said.

On Sunday (1/11), news emerged that also spread on a number of social media, news about the burning of a number of reog art properties, such as the gayor, dadak peacock mask and the place for the dragon's head gamelan appeared in a number of online media accompanied by photos of the burning of the peacock's mask. The arson was allegedly carried out in the courtyard of a house that also serves as the Indonesian Consulate General's office in Davao City, Philippines.