PNP To Coordinate With UK, US In Probing Thomas Markle Over Child Abuse Images

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will coordinate with law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom and the United States in investigating allegations that Thomas Markle, father of Meghan, duchess of Sussex, possessed images of child sexual abuse reportedly found among his belongings at his former residence in Cebu.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said on Sunday, Oct. 25, that the coordination would include possible digital evidence and cross-border links.

“The safety of our children remains a priority,” Nartatez said, stressing the need for international cooperation in investigating suspected child exploitation.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said that Thomas was being investigated over allegations involving images of child sexual abuse. Thomas reportedly denied the allegations.

Nartatez said investigators would conduct digital forensic examinations and gather evidence to determine whether a crime had been committed.

“The PNP will pursue the appropriate cases if evidence establishes involvement in the online exploitation of minors,” he said.

Nartatez said that the PNP maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward child exploitation, including abuse facilitated by digital platforms and cross-border networks.

UK's Met police says it sent allegations letter to Meghan, not other forces

LONDON – London's Metropolitan Police said on Saturday, Oct. 24, that officers passed on a letter in early 2019 to Meghan, the wife of Britain’s Prince Harry, after she said she had been informed of allegations about her father.

The police force said it had not shared the letter with other law enforcement agencies.

On Friday, Oct. 23, Meghan said the news was “very distressing” and that she had been informed by British police of a letter with allegations about her father in 2018 after her wedding to King Charles’ younger son.

She said her thoughts were with those who might have been harmed and that her sincerest hope “is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.”

A spokesperson for the Met Police confirmed in a statement on Saturday that following a thorough review of its systems and records, “we received a letter containing a number of claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom” in January 2019.

“The letter was reviewed and a decision was made that it should be passed to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness. The details of the allegations in the letter were not shared with other law enforcement agencies.”

A spokesperson for the Sussexes said on Saturday it was “understandable” that Meghan “may have been mistaken” on the date she received the letter and that the Met’s record “should be treated as the accurate ?reference point.”

Meghan has been out of contact with her father since the run-up to her 2018 nuptials, which he did not attend.

She said she had also prevented him from having contact with her children Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, to protect them.

The Met said it was considering whether a referral to the police watchdog was needed to assess its approach.

Remulla earlier said Thomas’ son, Meghan’s half-brother, who is called Thomas Jr., provided police with evidence of the allegations, including a laptop, confirming details in the Sun newspaper.

Thomas, who had lived in Cebu in the Philippines for some time, was now believed to be back in the US, Remulla added.

The Sun also said Thomas Jr. had contacted the FBI in the US over the allegations.

“The FBI is aware of the allegations and will provide support, as appropriate, to the Philippine authorities,” the FBI said in a statement. “We will also investigate any related allegations of federal violations of US law.”

Harry and Meghan and their children relocated to England in August after living in California for six years. – With Reuters