PNP seeks warrant to examine devices recovered from Thomas Markle Sr.

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is seeking a warrant to examine data from digital devices recovered from Thomas Markle Sr., the father of Meghan Markle, after allegations that the materials may contain child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM).

The PNP’s Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC), through its Visayas field unit, has taken custody of four boxes of personal belongings turned over by Markle’s son, Thomas Markle Jr.

The boxes reportedly contained mobile phones, computer CPUs, hard drives, dismantled computers, and other digital devices and personal effects.

According to PNP Public Information Office chief PCol. Allen Rae Co, a digital forensic examination will be conducted once the warrant is issued.

“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. 

The investigation stemmed from Markle Jr.’s discovery of the materials while looking for a cellphone at a friend’s house in Cordova, Cebu, where his father’s belongings had been left.

“We cannot discuss as to the contents pero ‘yun ang allegation niya that he saw some violation ng OSAEC so that started the investigation,” Co said. 

Markle Jr. subsequently contacted authorities and turned over the items to the police.

The PNP said the examination could take about a week, depending on the issuance of the warrant. 

The WCPC Visayas field unit is coordinating with the Regional Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking (RIACAT) 7 on the next steps.

Police have yet to establish whether the recovered materials contain CSAEM or whether any offense was committed.

The PNP said it would pursue the investigation regardless of the nationality of the person involved, stressing that it would not tolerate offenses against children.

“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. 

If evidence of wrongdoing is established, authorities said they would determine the appropriate charges to file.

Meanwhile, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau has received an inquiry from its counterpart, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), concerning Markle’s case. 

“We have received an information, many are asking from our counterpart from the FBI regarding the possession of materials, these are also materials of minors. Children that are not good. It’s about Thomas Markle. They used to be based in Cebu and as far as we know, some of them were killed,” Matibag said.

According to the PNP, Markle arrived in the Philippines in January 2025 and left in May 2026 to seek medical treatment in the United States. — With a report from Zyann Ambrosio, ABS-CBN News