MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is seeking warrant to examine the digital devices recovered from American director Thomas Markle Sr., father of Megan Markle, Duchess of Sussex over allegations of child abuse images.
According to the PNP's Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC), through its Visayas field unit, four boxes containing laptops, CPUs, hard drives and other similar devices and personal effects were surrendered to them by no less than Thomas Markle Jr., his son.
Investigation could take a week, the PNP said, depending on the issuance of the warrant.
“We have to establish the file and its nature, the origin of the files as well as ownership of these materials,” Co said during a press briefing at PNP Camp Crame on Monday.
“Now, if there will be evidence found of any wrongdoing, especially ‘yung ina-allege, we will have to establish ‘yung possession during the relevant timeline, as well as the identities of the victims if there are any,” he added.
According to the investigation, Markle Jr. discovered the alleged explicit materials while looking for a cellphone at a friend's house in Cordova, Cebu, where his father's belongings had been left.
Upon discovery, the young Markle was said to have contacted authorities immediately and turned over the devices.
“We cannot discuss as to the contents pero ‘yun ang allegation niya that he saw some violation ng OSAEC (Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children) so that started the investigation,” Co said.
OSAEC refers to the production, dissemination, and possession of child abuse materials, online grooming, sexual extortion, image-based sexual abuse, online prostitution, and live-streamed sexual abuse of minors.
The PNP vowed to pursue the investigation regardless of the nationality of the person involved.
“We are very saddened by this, and we will not let anybody whether foreign national or Filipino national to do this to our children,” Co stressed.
