Cebu police set seven-day deadline to finish digital probe of Thomas Markle Sr's computer

Philippine police have set a seven-day deadline to complete a digital forensic examination of a computer seized from the home of Thomas Markle Sr. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that national police secured the device for the review and expects results within one week. The investigation centers on claims that Markle Sr possessed a large collection of child sexual abuse images while living in Cebu.

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, released a statement through a spokesperson following reports from The Sun. She described herself as deeply distressed by the allegations against her estranged father. Markle disclosed that the Metropolitan Police shared a letter with her in 2018. The document originated from the force's Royalty and Specialist Protection unit, known as Rasp. It contained troubling allegations against her father. She stated that authorities assured her the claims were under investigation.

Meghan said her decision to limit contact with her father and exclude him from the lives of her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, was intended to protect them. She noted that she trusted authorities to act similarly for other families. Sources indicated that Meghan did not speak publicly in 2018 to avoid jeopardizing a potential investigation or facing legal action. The Rasp unit passed the letter to her shortly after her wedding. The Metropolitan Police has not previously investigated Markle Sr and is not currently doing so. The force is conducting internal inquiries to confirm if Rasp officers were involved in forwarding the letter.

The claims trace back to Thomas Markle Jr, 60, who told Philippine detectives he found hundreds or thousands of images on computers and mobile phones. He stated the devices were kept in four large boxes at his father's former residence in Cebu. Markle Sr lived in that home until returning to the United States in May following a stroke. Markle Jr also contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The agency said it will support Philippine authorities and investigate any related federal violations of US law.

Thomas Markle Sr denied the accusations, calling them sick lies in an interview with the Daily Mail. He is currently in a rehabilitation center in Florida, learning to walk with a prosthetic limb after a left leg amputation caused by a blood clot. He described himself as shocked and hurt by the news. He said the computers had not been in his possession since he left Rosarito, Mexico, with his son in January 2025 to move to the Philippines for a fresh start.

Nicholas Ty, an undersecretary at the Philippine justice department, confirmed the matter is under investigation. He stated that a human trafficking and child sexual exploitation taskforce in Cebu is handling the case. The digital evidence will determine the next steps in the legal process. The forensic team is currently analyzing the seized hardware to verify the existence and nature of the alleged files.

Samantha Markle, the half-sister of Meghan and Thomas Jr, defended their father against the claims. She accused Thomas Jr of making up lies to generate money. She alleged the accusations surfaced days after their father cut off his financial support to Thomas Jr. She emphasized that the computers were out of Markle Sr's possession for two years, leaving room for tampering. Markle Sr has been estranged from Meghan since he missed her wedding to Prince Harry on health grounds. He has never met his two grandchildren.