The man who accused Meghan Markle’s father of possessing child sexual abuse material is now under investigation himself. Philippine authorities have identified Thomas Markle Jr. as a person of interest in the very investigation he helped trigger, following disturbing allegations from a witness that underage girls were brought to a property linked to the case.
According to The New York Post, Philippine Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed the development during a press conference on Thursday, November 5. He said investigators are looking into whether Thomas Jr., 60, had any involvement in the alleged offenses.
“We have a witness [who says] underage girls were being brought to his house. We will investigate whether the son was involved in the crime,” Remulla said.
Investigators are also looking beyond the allegations against Thomas Markle Sr., with attention now turning to his son.
“To accuse the father only is only half the police work,” 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.”
The announcement comes after investigators reportedly uncovered approximately 7,500 suspected child sexual abuse materials involving underage boys and girls. The materials were recovered from a cellphone, dismantled computer equipment, and other electronic devices.
Remulla described the discovery as deeply disturbing.
“They presented it to me but I didn’t want to look because I can’t unsee it,” he said.
However, authorities have yet to determine who owned the devices or who accessed the material. Philippine investigators are now seeking assistance from the FBI to establish ownership and analyze the digital evidence.
The unanswered questions are particularly significant given that Thomas Jr. was the one who initially brought the allegations to authorities.
Last month, he claimed to have discovered “hundreds, if not thousands” of suspected abuse images among belongings at his father’s former residence in Cebu, Philippines. He subsequently reported the discovery to local police and the FBI.
Thomas Sr., 82, has strongly denied his son’s accusations.
“I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me,” he said. “I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.”
Thomas Jr. had previously called on investigators to establish who downloaded and viewed the material, while insisting that his father should face the allegations in court.
Meanwhile, the investigation has brought renewed attention to warnings reportedly received by British authorities years ago.
According to The Sunday Times, Meghan wanted to speak publicly in 2019 after becoming aware of allegations involving her father. A royal protection officer allegedly advised her, “Leave it with us, we’ll investigate it.”
Scotland Yard later admitted that the allegations were not passed on to overseas law enforcement agencies. The force’s handling of the warning is now subject to an independent investigation.
Meghan has maintained that keeping her children, Prince Harry, Archie and Lilibet, away from their grandfather was intended to protect them.
With Thomas Jr. now also under scrutiny, investigators are working to establish a crucial detail: who owned or accessed the devices containing the recovered material?
