Markle half-brother named person of interest in father’s probe

Philippine authorities have named Thomas Markle Jr., Meghan Markle’s half-brother, as a person of interest in the ongoing child sexual abuse material investigation into their father, Thomas Markle Sr.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the development Thursday, saying there are “signs that point that the son is involved in the crime as well.”

Remulla stressed that Markle Jr. is not being treated as a suspect at this stage.

“We’re determining if son is involved,” Remulla said.

“There are signs that point that the son is involved in the crime as well but only as a person of interest so far.”

He added that authorities expect to know more “in the next few days.”

The investigation began after Thomas Markle Jr. reportedly handed over electronic devices and other belongings to police in the Philippines.

Markle half-brother named person of interest in father’s probe

He had allegedly discovered disturbing material on those devices.

Police later uncovered more than 7,000 photos and one video depicting child sexual abuse.

Remulla described the material as “the most deplorable displays of impunity towards sexual activity that I have ever seen.”

The victims in the images are underage males and females of Asian, Latin and European descent, with some as young as 10 and 11, according to the official.

Philippine National Police Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed Wednesday that child sexual abuse material had been found on a mobile phone and three memory cards handed over by Thomas Markle Sr.

Last week, authorities said they were investigating a laptop found alongside images depicting child abuse at a property believed to be the 82-year-old’s former residence.

A witness has alleged that underage girls were brought to a residence linked to the probe, according to The Times of India.

The Times of India also reported that 7,500 files involving minors were recovered from electronic devices.

Investigators are now seeking assistance from the FBI to establish who owned the devices.

The development follows reports that Markle Jr. had also alerted the FBI to two storage units in Los Angeles.

This came just days after Mexican police raided a storage unit Markle Sr. is said to have rented near his former home in Rosarito, Mexico.

Remulla said “appropriate legal actions” would be taken should sufficient evidence be found.

A spokesman for Meghan Markle declined to comment on the investigation.

The Duchess of Sussex has remained publicly silent on the matter, though her lifestyle brand As Ever launched a new fig spread Thursday, described as “a taste of the holidays.”