Meghan Markle‘s father, Thomas Markle Sr., is facing further scrutiny after Philippine authorities confirmed that the FBI and other U.S. law enforcement agencies are cooperating with local police in an ongoing investigation.
The development followed allegations from Thomas Markle Jr., who claimed to have discovered child sexual abuse material among his father’s belongings in the Philippines. Thomas Sr., 82, strongly denied the accusations.
Philippine police confirm FBI cooperation in Thomas Markle Sr. investigation
During a Tuesday press conference, Philippine National Police Acting Director Pmgen Wilson Casueta shared an update on the investigation.
“The investigation is going in the right direction,” Casueta told reporters.
He confirmed that U.S. authorities had contacted the Philippine police’s Women and Children Protection Center and were conducting their own inquiries while coordinating with local investigators.
However, Casueta said British authorities had not contacted local police.
“If there is sufficient evidence, [then] we will file a case,” he added.
The investigation attracted public attention after his son, Thomas Jr., reported discovering alleged child sexual abuse material among his father’s belongings in Cebu City.
He subsequently contacted authorities and publicly discussed the allegations.
Thomas Sr. denied the allegations in an interview with the Daily Mail.
“It’s just a bunch of lies. It’s sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies,” he said.
His daughter Samantha Markle also defended him and accused her brother of acting out of revenge.
Meanwhile, a Daily Mail investigation raised questions about a storage unit Thomas Sr. previously rented in Mexico.
The outlet reported finding potentially concerning materials there. However, Philippine police declined to comment on reports that Mexican authorities had searched the property.
As per Page Six, investigators in the Philippines also obtained a warrant to examine Thomas Sr.’s digital devices.
The Department of Justice’s regional prosecutor’s office said legal action could follow if investigators gathered sufficient evidence to establish liability.
The allegations also prompted a response from Meghan.
She said she was “deeply distressed” and revealed that she had previously received a letter containing troubling claims about her father.
Despite the latest developments in the investigation, authorities have not announced any criminal charges against Thomas Sr.
Authorities continue investigating the allegations, which Thomas Sr. strongly denies.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
