THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will work with law enforcement agencies abroad in looking into allegations linking the father of Meghan Markle, the duchess of Sussex, to the possession of child abuse and exploitation images.
Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., PNP chief, emphasized the need for cross-border cooperation in investigating Thomas Markle, particularly the cases that may involve digital evidence and individuals with links to different countries.
“The safety of our children remains a priority. Those who try to engage in child exploitation often extend beyond borders, and as such, it emphasizes the importance of strong coordination with our foreign counterparts,” Nartatez said.
Authorities said the elder Markle possessed images of child abuse reportedly found among his belongings at his former home in Cebu. He reportedly has denied the allegations.
Digital forensics on a laptop in the Markle house is being conducted and full results are expected to be released next week, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.
Nartatez said the PNP maintains a zero-tolerance policy against child exploitation and is committed to protecting minors from abuse, including forms of exploitation facilitated by digital platforms and cross-border networks.
Markle, whose daughter is married to Britain's Prince Harry, had been living in Cebu until reportedly returning to the United States earlier this year.
The British tabloid the Sun first reported last week that Markle's son, Thomas Markle Jr., had discovered the child abuse images while going through boxes found in his father's former home.
On Friday, Meghan Markle said she was "deeply distressed" by accusations her father had possessed images of child abuse, adding she had blocked contact between him and her children over previous "troubling and disturbing" allegations.
After the reports, Meghan said that in 2018 she had seen a letter sent to London's Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection making similar accusations.
"It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father, and I was given assurances that these were being investigated," she said in a statement.
London's Metropolitan police said it had passed on the information to the royal couple but did not share it with other law enforcement agencies.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry left Britain and quit royal duties in 2020 amid a bitter royal family feud.
They made an unexpected return with their children to live in the United Kingdom in August.
