Philippine DOJ Confirms Probe Into 80-Year-Old American Over Stored Files
Meghan Markle says she was aware of 2018 allegations against her father, while her son reports finding the digital materials during a medical absence.
By Layla Fontaine ·
The Philippine Department of Justice opened a formal investigation on Friday into Thomas Markle, an 80-year-old American resident of Cebu province. State-run media confirmed that the agency is examining reports that the man left child abuse videos and photos in his home. A justice official identified Markle as the subject of the inquiry and stated that the department's anti-trafficking task force is handling the case.
Meghan Markle responded to the news in a statement sent to CBS News on Friday. She described herself as deeply distressed by the reports. The Duchess said she first learned of the allegations against her father in 2018. According to her statement, a letter containing the claims was sent to the Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit that year. She noted that the letter was shared with her and that she received assurances the matter was being investigated.
The Metropolitan Police said it is aware of media reports regarding the 2018 letter. A spokesperson confirmed that officers from the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command helped pass on the document. The force stated it is undertaking internal enquiries to confirm the details, though it is not currently investigating Thomas Markle.
The probe follows reports that Thomas Markle Jr., the subject's son, alerted authorities to the findings. The Daily Mail reported on Friday that the younger Markle denied the allegations, calling them sick lies. He stated he had never downloaded such materials. The report said he discovered the files on an old cell phone while his father was in the United States receiving treatment for a stroke and blood clot.
The Daily Mail reported that Thomas Jr. found the materials in storage boxes at the family home in the Philippines. He reportedly contacted an FBI hotline, the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children, and Pennsylvania state police in July. The British tabloid The Sun reported on Thursday that Thomas Jr. had reported his father to Philippine authorities after seeing the materials on the device.
Meghan Markle addressed her relationship with her father in her statement. She said she distanced herself from him to protect her children. She wrote that her choice to limit contact was made for that single reason, despite media distortions over the years. She expressed her hope that justice would be fully served and that the priority would remain the safety of innocent children.
The investigation is being conducted by the Philippine Department of Justice in Cebu province. The agency confirmed the probe in a Facebook post on Friday. The subject of the investigation is an American national in his eighties. The task force assigned to the case is the anti-trafficking unit.
