18 December 2013 - Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi conferred the Medal of Duty to the late Dr. Ruben Valenzuela who was among those who died during a terror attack in Sana’a. He also expressed his sincerest gratitude, in behalf of the People of Yemen, for the exemplary service of Dr. Valenzuela during his thirty years of humanitarian work in the country.

Dr. Ruben E. Valenzuela was among the seven (7) Filipinos who died during the terror attack on the Defense Complex Hospital (DCH) in Sana’a, Yemen on December 05.

The Medal of Duty and Plaque was received by Vice Consul Redentor D. Genotiva on behalf of the family of Dr. Valenzuela during a ceremony on December 16 at the Presidential Palace in Sana’a.

The Medal of Duty was conferred to Dr. Valenzuela “as an expression of gratitude…in recognition of his great medical services of both military and civil sides for thirty years… worthy of praise and appreciation”.

Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen Ezzedin H. Tago acknowledged the invaluable services that Dr. Ruben Valenzuela gave to the people of Yemen. “The conferment of the Medal of Duty to Dr. Valenzuela is testament to the invaluable services that Dr. Valenzuela and the other six Filipino medical workers gave to the Yemeni people,” said Ambassador Tago.

A delegation from the Defense Complex Hospital will go to the Philippines to visit the families of those who died during the attack. END