Philippines Probe: DOJ Launches Inquiry Into Thomas Markle Over Digital Files
Meghan Markle confirms she received a 2018 warning letter while the Philippine Justice Department investigates alleged abuse materials found in Cebu.
By Amina Kaminski ·
The Philippine Department of Justice has opened a formal investigation into Thomas Markle Sr.
The probe targets an 80-year-old American national accused of leaving child sexual abuse videos and photographs at a residence in Cebu province. State-run media confirmed the inquiry on Friday, noting that the department's anti-trafficking task force is managing the case. A justice official identified Markle Sr. as the primary subject of the review.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, responded to the news in a statement sent to CBS News on Friday. She described herself as deeply distressed by the reports. The duchess stated that she first learned of allegations against her father in 2018. A letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection Command that year. She said the document contained troubling claims and was subsequently shared with her. Meghan noted that she was assured the matter was being investigated at the time.
The Metropolitan Police has not conducted a full investigation into Markle Sr. to date. A force spokesperson said officers from the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command helped pass the 2018 letter along. The Met is currently undertaking internal enquiries to confirm the details of that handover.
The initial report of the materials came from Thomas Markle Jr., who told The Sun on Thursday that he found the files in storage boxes at the family home. He discovered the content after switching on an old cell phone while his father was in the United States receiving treatment for a stroke and a blood clot. Markle Jr. reported the findings to the FBI hotline, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and Pennsylvania state police in July.
Markle Sr. denied the accusations through the Daily Mail on Friday. He stated that he had never downloaded such materials and dismissed the claims as sick lies. Meghan addressed the family dynamics in her statement, explaining that her distance from her father was intended to protect her children. She said her priority is the safety of innocent children and that justice should be fully served.
The investigation remains active as authorities review the digital evidence found in the Cebu home.
