Philippine Police Intensify Thomas Markle Sr Investigation After Child Abuse Material Found

Philippine police said they were intensifying their investigation into Thomas Markle Snr after child abuse material was discovered on three memory cards and a mobile phone that his son, Thomas Markle Jnr, had earlier handed over to authorities.

Philippine national police chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jnr told AFP, "We have to establish where these came from, who may be responsible, and whether Philippine laws were violated."

Philippine National Police reported that the files were identified during a preliminary forensic analysis after Thomas Markle Jr. turned the devices over to authorities at the end of October.

The PNP Acting Director, Major General Wilson C. Asueta, told reporters in a press conference that "Initial findings of the Anti-Cybercrime Group on the digital devices" identified "several Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials."

Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla told reporters in Manila that Markle Jnr was being treated as a "person of interest", not a suspect, as the inquiry widened.

Remulla said witnesses alleged that underage girls were brought to the younger Markle's home, while media reports last month said suspected child sexual abuse material allegedly belonging to Thomas Markle Snr, 82, had been found at his former home in Cebu.

Philippine police said their findings did not yet establish who owned, produced, or distributed the materials, nor conclusively determine where they originated, and they said an examination of further evidence was ongoing.

The Los Noticieristas account said investigators were reviewing at least nine mobile phones, three SD cards, five hard drives, and a camera, and it said the PNP warned that charges related to online child abuse and exploitation could be brought if tests established accountability.

Good Morning Britain issued a major update on the shocking police investigation into Thomas Markle.

Presenter Ranvir Singh revealed that there is now "a second person of interest" in the probe.

As she added: "The country's interior minister has told ITV News they're also examining 7,500 child abuse images. Markle, of course, the father of the Duchess of Sussex, has denied all the allegations against him."

During the breakfast programme, Ranvir went live to Asia Correspondent Debi Edward, who shared: "In our conversation with Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla, he used the word 'deplorable' to describe the images allegedly found on the devices handed into the Philippines police by Thomas Markle's son."

"He told me that so far they have recovered 7,500 photos and several videos; some of those images show children as young as 10 or 11, boys and girls engaged in sexual activity with adults."

This comes after boxes belonging to Meghan Markle's father allegedly contained child abuse images and prompted a major investigation after his son, Thomas Markle Jr., reportedly found boxes of devices in his father's home in the Philippines.

Authorities confirmed that the initial forensic probes into the haul, reportedly left at his property in Cebu City, uncovered "multiple files containing depraved imagery" featuring minors.

While Thomas has denied any wrongdoing, it has now been claimed that the Filipino police have contacted the FBI to search storage boxes belonging to Thomas Markle Sr. in the US.

It is believed that these boxes are in two storage units in LA owned by the 82-year-old.

According to The Times, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is investigating whether Markle appears in the images found, who allegedly produced them, and who owns the devices.

Major General Wilson Asueta, the PNP's acting director for investigation management, confirmed on Tuesday (November 3) that Philippine investigators have not been in contact with any British forces.

Philippine detectives are currently combing through a staggering haul of tech, including nine mobile phones, three SD cards, five hard drives, a camera, and printed materials.

"If there is evidence, then we will file a case," a stern police official warned.

The investigation into suspected child sexual abuse material in the Philippines has expanded to include Thomas Markle Jr.

On 5 November 2026, Philippine Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that authorities now consider Markle Jr. a person of interest after receiving witness information alleging that underage girls had visited a residence associated with him in Cebu.

Remulla stressed that investigators were still verifying the allegations and had not identified Markle Jr. as a criminal suspect.

The development comes after Markle Jr. surrendered boxes of digital devices that he claimed belonged to his father, Thomas Markle Sr., who has strongly denied the allegations against him.

According to Philippine broadcaster News5, Remulla said investigators had received witness accounts alleging that minors were brought to a property associated with the younger Markle.

Authorities are examining those reports to establish whether any illegal activity occurred and whether Markle Jr. had any involvement.

Remulla acknowledged possible indications warranting further investigation but emphasised that Markle Jr. remained a person of interest.

Markle Jr. originally brought the suspected material to the authorities' attention by surrendering boxes of electronic devices and personal belongings he attributed to his father.