The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Davao, Philippines, received protests from the public regarding the reog and gamelan decorations that were burned there. Therefore, the Consulate General in Davao gave an explanation regarding the burning that was carried out.
"On October 20, 2015, the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao City was forced to destroy Ponorogo reog which has been an asset of the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao since 1988. The destruction by burning had to be carried out because Ponorogo reog was in a damaged condition and eaten by termites," as written in a statement by the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao that received by merdeka.com, this morning, Saturday (31/10).
Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L. P. Marsudi also confirmed that the burning was carried out because it was already and infested with termites.
"Reog and gamelan decorations in the form of dragon heads were burned because they were damaged and full of termites," said Foreign Minister Retno in a short message.
Several media had reported about the burning of these cultural assets. There are even media who say that the burning of cultural assets is because it is considered an idol and the procession of exorcising spirits.
The Consulate General in Davao himself said that the burning that was carried out was not an attempt by the Consulate General in Davao to damage or even eliminate cultural assets.
"The destruction of these assets has been carried out carefully and with full respect for Reog Ponorogo as a cultural asset. The Consulate General in Davao City also wants to emphasize that the burning has absolutely nothing to do with efforts to expel idols or spirits," continued the statement from the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao.
The statement also stated that the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao was communicating with parties in Indonesia to seek a new Ponorogo reog.