In a rapid turn of events, the International Criminal Court (ICC) on April 28 announced the formation of Trial Chamber III and its judges for Rodrigo Duterte’s formal trial. This followed the consecutive decisions on the court’s jurisdiction over his cases on April 22 and confirmation of the charges against him on April 23.

The Trial Chamber III will be composed of Judge Joanna Korner of the United Kingdom, Judge Keebong Paek of South Korea, and Judge Nicolas Guillou of France. The court was formed on April 24 but was announced only on April 28. This court will hear the case, examine the evidence, and rule on Duterte’s guilt or innocence. In these hearings, he is required to face the judges and the victims.

According to Atty. Kristina Conti, assistant to counsel at the ICC, the next steps are the preparations of the defense lawyers, the prosecution, and the lawyers who will represent the victims.

She said the families of the victims have long awaited this step. She added that the trial is a “long process” that is crucial to bringing out the truth about the former Duterte regime’s “war on drugs.”