Philippine police issue warning as Duchess Meghan's dad Thomas faces child sexual abuse images investigation
Philippine investigators are examining four boxes of belongings surrendered by Thomas Markle Sr's son, with forensic specialists seeking to establish the origin and ownership of suspected illegal material as authorities consider possible international involvement.
Philippine police have warned they “will not let anybody, whether foreign national or Filipino national, do this to our children” as investigators examine a large collection of alleged child sexual abuse images linked to belongings surrendered by the son of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s long-estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr.
The 82-year-old former Hollywood lighting director is under investigation after his son, Thomas Markle Jr, 60, handed over four large boxes of possessions to police in Cebu City, where the pair had been living.
Authorities are examining electronic devices allegedly containing hundreds or thousands of abusive images, with investigators seeking to establish who downloaded or possessed the files and identify any potential victims.
Thomas Sr has denied all allegations against him and has not been charged.
Speaking at a press conference after the final items were surrendered, Philippine National Police spokesperson Colonel Allen Rae Co said: “We are very saddened by this, and we will not let anybody, whether foreign national or Filipino national, do this to our children.”
He added: “We have to establish the file and its nature, the origin of the files as well as ownership of these materials.”
Rae Co also said: “If there will be evidence found of any wrongdoing, we will have to establish possession during the relevant timeline, as well as the identities of the victims if there are any.”
