80-Year-Old Thomas Markle Faces Formal Philippine Probe Over Abuse Files

The Philippine Department of Justice has opened a formal investigation into Thomas Markle, an 80-year-old American national, over allegations that he left child sexual abuse materials in his home in Cebu province. A Filipino justice official confirmed that the department’s anti-trafficking task force is handling the matter. The state-run Philippine News Agency announced the probe in a Facebook post on Friday, noting that Markle allegedly stored videos and photos of abuse in his residence.

The allegations trace back to a discovery made by his son, Thomas Markle Jr., who reported finding the materials in storage boxes at the family home. The Daily Mail reported that Markle Jr. first noticed the files after switching on an old cell phone while his father was in the United States receiving treatment for a stroke and blood clot. The younger Markle reportedly contacted the FBI hotline, the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children, and Pennsylvania state police in July.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, said she was aware of the allegations against her father as early as 2018. In a statement sent to CBS News on Friday, she described a letter sent to the Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit that year. The duchess said the letter made troubling allegations against her father and that she was assured the matter was being investigated. A Met spokesperson stated that the force is conducting internal enquiries to confirm whether its officers helped pass on the letter in 2018, though they are not currently investigating Markle.

Thomas Markle Jr. told The Sun on Thursday that he reported his father to Philippine authorities. The Daily Mail reported on Friday that Markle Sr. denied the claims, calling them sick lies. He stated that he has never downloaded such materials in his life.

Meghan addressed the public scrutiny surrounding her estrangement from her father, stating that her decision to limit his contact with their children was made to protect them. She expressed her hope that justice would be fully served and that the primary focus remains on the safety of innocent children.

The investigation is currently underway in Cebu, where Markle resides. The anti-trafficking task force is reviewing the digital files found in his home. No further timeline for the probe’s conclusion has been released.