The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno LP Marsudi, confirmed that the news that Reog Ponorogo was deliberately set on fire at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) office in Davao, Philippines, was not entirely true.

"Reog and gamelan decorations in the form of dragon heads were burned because they were damaged and infested with termites," said Retno via text message, Saturday, October 31, 2015.

For information, several media outlets had published news stating that officials at the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao allowed these individuals to burn the cultural products of the Indonesian people because they were considered to be worshiping idols.

It was reported that the Reog and the dragon headdress were burned on 20 October 2015 in the courtyard of the Indonesian Consulate General in Davao with the help of two security guards. Nevertheless, Foreign Minister Retno clarified the contents of the news.

"Reog has been damaged so it has nothing to do with the notion of worshiping idols," said Retno.