Authorities in the Philippines are investigating child abuse claims made against Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr.
“In these cases where family disputes are mixed up, we have to consider all the angles,” Philippine interior minister Jonvic Remulla told The Guardian on Sunday, October 25. “Right now, all signs point to a possible sex offender of the grossest kind. We want to be sure before we release the findings. The forensics data will be complete in a week.”
He continued, “Please give us a week to determine the contents and to come up with a definitive picture. We will release a statement then.”
Thomas Sr.’s son, Thomas Markle Jr., told The Sun on Thursday, October 22, that he allegedly discovered child sex abuse materials (CSAM) at his father’s home in the Philippines and turned the material over to the authorities. (Thomas Sr., 82, has vehemently denied the accusations, branding the claims as “sick lies.”)
In a statement given to Agence France-Press, Remulla said the national police inspected Thomas Sr.’s home and found a “trove of child pornography materials as well as a laptop.”
“The PNP will coordinate with their counterparts to locate and take appropriate legal actions against Mr. Markle if found that there is sufficient evidence to charge him,” the statement noted.
Thomas Sr., who has since left the Philippines, has not currently been charged with a crime. He believes the images were “planted” in an alleged attempt to ruin his reputation.
“I never shared a house with Tom,” Thomas Sr. told the Daily Mail on Saturday, October 24. “My computer and old phone were packed up in Mexico and put on a boat to the Philippines. It took months. I kept asking my son for my computer and he said it was coming. He would never give it to me and I didn’t understand why.”
In addition to Thomas Jr., the former lighting designer is father of daughters Samantha and Meghan. The Duchess of Sussex, 45, cut ties with her father after learning of the allegations in 2018.
“In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me,” Meghan said in a statement shared with Us on Friday, October 23. “It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated. “
She continued, “I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them. I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.”
The letter also reportedly accused Thomas Sr. of sexually assaulting a child, claims that he has staunchly refuted.
“I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed,” Meghan, who shares two children with husband Prince Harry, concluded her statement. “Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
