Philippines opens probe into 80-year-old American over alleged child abuse files

The Philippine Department of Justice has opened a formal investigation into Thomas Markle Jr., an 80-year-old American national, over allegations that he left videos and photos of child sexual abuse materials at his residence in Cebu province. The agency confirmed the action on Friday through a Facebook post by the state-run Philippine News Agency.

A Filipino justice official stated that the department's anti-trafficking task force is currently handling the case. The official verified that Thomas Markle Sr. is the specific subject of the inquiry. The allegations center on digital files found in storage boxes at the family home.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, released a statement to CBS News on Friday describing her reaction as "deeply distressed." She provided details regarding the timeline of the accusations, noting that she first received a letter containing the allegations in 2018. The duchess said that letter had been sent to the Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit. She claimed the document made "troubling and disturbing allegations" against her father and that she was assured an investigation would follow.

The Metropolitan Police indicated it is aware of media reports stating that officers from its Royalty and Specialist Protection Command helped pass the 2018 letter to Meghan. A spokesperson for the force said the unit is conducting internal enquiries to confirm the details. The Met clarified that it has not investigated Thomas Markle and is not currently doing so.

The probe follows reports that Thomas Markle Jr. filed complaints against his father. The Daily Mail reported on Friday that Markle denied the claims, stating, "I have never downloaded anything like that in my life." He characterized the accusations as "sick lies." According to the tabloid, Markle Jr. discovered the materials after switching on an old cell phone while his father was in the United States receiving treatment for a stroke and blood clot.

Markle Jr. reportedly contacted the FBI hotline, the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children, and state police in Pennsylvania in July. The Sun reported on Thursday that Markle Jr. had also reported his father to Philippine authorities. Meghan addressed the distance between her and her father in her statement, saying she limited his contact with her children to protect them. She expressed her hope that justice would be served and that the safety of innocent children remained the priority.