Philippine police obtain warrant to search Thomas Markle's devices

What the report says

Philippine police have obtained a warrant to inspect devices and other material taken from the former home of Thomas Markle Sr., the father of the Duchess of Sussex, after allegations surfaced that child sexual abuse images linked to him were found there. The items were handed to officers in Cebu last week by Meghan Markle’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., but investigators needed court approval before reviewing them.

According to BBC reporting, the material includes computers, phones, hard drives and old videotapes. The police say they first need to establish how the items were obtained before deciding whether any criminal charges are possible. Thomas Markle Sr., who is now in the United States, has denied the accusations, calling them false. Cebu prosecutors said Thomas Markle Jr. has pushed for the matter to be investigated.

The case has also drawn in Meghan Markle, who said in a statement that she was distressed by the allegations and that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed. BBC reporting says she has been estranged from her father since 2018 and had previously cut off contact amid abuse concerns. Separately, it is worth noting that child exploitation remains a serious concern in parts of the Philippines, including Cebu, but the BBC article focused on this specific investigation rather than broader crime trends.