WATCH: Jennie Bond discusses allegations against Thomas Markle Sr
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Meghan Markle’s half-brother is being treated as a “person of interest” by Philippine authorities in their criminal investigations into their father, Thomas Markle Sr.
Philippine National Police say Thomas Markle Jr is not a suspect as they investigate the Duchess of Sussex’s estranged father, 82, over alleged child abuse images found at his property in Cebu City. Thomas Sr has strongly denied all wrongdoing.
Enquiries were launched into Thomas Sr after his son Thomas Jr, 60, told authorities he had uncovered a collection of child sexual abuse material at his father’s home in the Philippines.
Earlier this week, the Philippine National Police said they had uncovered explicit material, including videos depicting child sexual abuse and exploitation, on digital devices allegedly belonging to Thomas Sr.
Speaking at a press conference in Manila, Philippine Interior Minister Juanito Victor Remulla said authorities are also now looking into Thomas Jr as part of the wider investigation.
“There are indications suggesting that the son may also be involved in the crime, but only as a person of interest so far,” Mr Remulla said, quoted in the Philippine outlet Inquirer.
“He is not yet treated as a suspect.”
Mr Remulla said police had been made aware of underage girls allegedly being brought to Thomas Jr’s home in Cordova.
“We have witnesses that underage girls are brought to his house, and we are following it up,” he said.
Responding to the claim, the Philippine official said Thomas Jr had “claimed to be merely doing TikTok (videos)”.
GB News has approached the representatives of Thomas Markle Jr for comment.
His father, Thomas Markle Sr, is currently subject to a multinational investigation, with Mexican authorities confirming a raid on a storage unit allegedly linked to him. The FBI is also understood to have launched inquiries.
The 82-year-old has strenuously denied any wrongdoing, specifically in relation to the possession of child sexual abuse images.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, he declared: “I’m not a paedophile. I’ve never done anything bad to a child. Never.”He dismissed the allegations as a “bunch of lies” and suggested he was being framed.
The investigation is ongoing, wrongdoing has not been established, and Mr Markle Sr has not been charged.
Meghan first became aware of historic allegations against her father in January 2019, when police shared with her a letter penned by a whistleblower with connections to the Markle family.
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