Authorities in the Philippines are investigating Thomas Markle for the alleged possession of child abuse materials. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, stated on Friday that she was "deeply distressed" by reports of the investigation. The Duchess, who recently moved back to Britain with her husband and children, issued a statement saying she has been aware of allegations against her father since 2018. She noted that these concerns were shared with the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection at that time.
The investigation was first reported by the British tabloid The Sun on Thursday. According to that report, Thomas Markle Jr. contacted authorities in the Philippines after he allegedly discovered child abuse materials in storage boxes at his father's residence in that country. The elder Markle has been estranged from the Duchess for several years.
The Philippine News Agency reported on Friday that the Department of Justice is investigating an American national in his 80s who allegedly left child abuse videos and photos in his home in Cebu province. A Filipino justice official stated that the department's anti-trafficking task force is handling the matter and confirmed Thomas Markle Sr. is the subject of the probe.
Thomas Markle has denied the allegations. According to a report by the Daily Mail, Markle stated, "I have never downloaded anything like that in my life." In her statement, the Duchess said she has distanced herself from her father to protect her children.
The investigation affects Thomas Markle, an American citizen residing in the Philippines. The Duchess stated that she previously alerted the U.K. Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection, a branch of the police responsible for the safety of the royal family.
The Philippine Department of Justice has initiated a probe. If the investigation leads to charges, Thomas Markle could face legal proceedings in the Philippines. The Duchess of Sussex has indicated that this situation reinforces her decision to maintain no contact between her father and her children. Currently, the Philippine Department of Justice has not announced a specific deadline or date for the conclusion of its task force investigation. The next steps will depend on the evidence gathered from the materials allegedly found in Cebu.