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Philippine authorities have opened an investigation into Thomas Markle following allegations that child sexual abuse images and a laptop were found at his former residence in the central province of Cebu, Reuters reported on October 23, 2026. Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty told the news agency that the Anti-Trafficking and Anti-OSAEC task force based in the area is handling the case. The development stems from a report by Markle’s son, also named Thomas, who according to multiple accounts provided the materials to local police after examining items left behind at the property.
Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla stated in a text message to Agence France-Presse that national police secured the laptop and a trove of suspected child pornography materials from the former home. Remulla added that the device is undergoing forensic examination, with full results anticipated within one week of the inspection. The minister further noted that authorities would coordinate with counterparts abroad to locate Markle, who Philippine officials believe has returned to the United States after residing in Cebu for a period.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, released a statement through CBS News in which she said she was deeply distressed by the news and that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed. She added that she had known about disturbing allegations against her father since 2018 and had prevented him from having contact with her children Archie and Lilibet to protect them. The duchess has had no contact with Thomas Markle since the period leading up to her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.
London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed in a statement that it received a letter in January 2019 containing a number of claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom. The force reported that it reviewed the information and passed it to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex but did not forward it to other law enforcement agencies at the time. According to a subsequent BBC News report, the Met is now conducting an internal review to determine whether the matter should be referred to the police watchdog.
The FBI told Reuters it is aware of the allegations and will provide support to Philippine authorities while also examining any related potential violations of US law. Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in comments published by SunStar that the force is coordinating with law enforcement in the United States and Britain on the cross-border elements of the case. Regional data from Central Visayas authorities show that 50 children were rescued from online sexual exploitation in 2025, underscoring the scale of such investigations in the area where the materials were reportedly found.
Thomas Markle has denied the allegations, describing them to the Daily Mail as untrue and sick lies. The former television lighting director, who suffered a series of health issues including strokes and a leg amputation in 2025, had relocated to the Philippines before returning to a rehabilitation facility in Florida, according to reports compiled by The Straits Times. No charges have been filed as the forensic analysis continues, Philippine officials stated.
