Cebu Police Give Forensics Team One Week to Review Markle Computer

Philippine authorities have set a seven-day deadline for the digital forensic analysis of a computer belonging to Thomas Markle Sr. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that national police secured the device for a full examination. He stated that the process is expected to yield results within one week.

The investigation follows claims by Markle Sr's son, Thomas Markle Jr, who told detectives he found hundreds or thousands of child sexual abuse images on computers and mobile phones. Markle Jr said the devices were stored in four large boxes at the family home in Cebu. Markle Sr lived in that residence until returning to the United States in May after suffering a stroke.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, issued a statement through a spokesperson addressing the allegations. She described herself as deeply distressed by the claims that her estranged father possessed such images. Her statement also revealed that the Metropolitan Police made her aware of disturbing allegations against him in 2018.

Meghan explained that a letter sent in 2018 to the Met and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit, known as Rasp, was later shared with her. The letter contained troubling allegations and indicated that an investigation was underway. She stated that her decision to limit contact with her father and prevent him from seeing her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, was intended to protect them.

"I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families," she said. She added that she hopes justice will be fully served and that the safety of children remains the priority. Sources indicated that Meghan could not speak publicly in 2018 because doing so might have jeopardized future investigations or exposed her to legal action.

The Rasp unit reportedly passed the letter to Meghan shortly after her wedding. The Met has not previously investigated Markle Sr and is not currently conducting an investigation, according to sources. The force said it is making internal inquiries to confirm whether Rasp officers were involved in passing on the letter.

Thomas Markle Sr, 60, denied the claims in an interview with the Daily Mail. Speaking from a rehabilitation center in Florida, where he is learning to walk with a prosthetic limb after a leg amputation, he said he was shocked and hurt. "I could never do what I'm being accused of," he said. He noted that the computers had not been in his possession since he left Rosarito, Mexico, in January 2025.

Markle Jr reported contacting the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI stated it will support Philippine authorities as appropriate and investigate any related allegations of federal violations of US law. A human trafficking and child sexual exploitation taskforce in Cebu is handling the local investigation, according to Nicholas Ty, an undersecretary at the justice department.

Samantha Markle, the pair's half-sister, defended their father and accused Markle Jr of fabricating lies to generate income. She alleged the claims emerged days after their father cut off his financial support. She pointed out that the computers were out of their father's possession for two years, noting that this gap leaves room for tampering.

Markle Sr has been estranged from the Duchess since he missed her wedding to Prince Harry on health grounds. He has never met his grandchildren, who are currently seven and five years old.