Reports say the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is preparing to review allegations that Thomas Markle Sr. possessed child sexual abuse material found in the Philippines, after his son filed a sworn statement with police there.
Story Snapshot
- Thomas Markle Jr. filed a sworn statement in Cebu alleging he found child abuse material in his father’s belongings.
- Reports say Philippine police are moving to examine or seize the alleged evidence in Cebu.
- Coverage says the FBI received Markle Jr.’s affidavit and is poised to open its own review.
- No charges against Thomas Markle Sr. have been reported as of now.
What sparked the investigations
Thomas Markle Jr. told reporters he discovered disturbing videos and images in four large boxes among his father’s stored items at a residence in Cebu, Philippines. He said the material showed girls who appeared to be about 10 or 11 years old, along with still photos of young girls. He submitted a sworn statement to specialist child-abuse police in Cebu and reported the find to United States authorities, according to multiple outlets that cite The Sun’s original story.
People magazine reported that Markle Jr. contacted the FBI, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and Pennsylvania state police on July 10, and that the FBI confirmed receipt of his affidavit, according to that outlet’s account. The reports describe an alleged 15-minute video on an old cellphone among other devices and drives. The Sun and follow-on coverage describe a large cache but do not give an exact count or inventory of files.
How authorities are responding
Reports say Philippine authorities are preparing steps to examine or seize the alleged evidence in Cebu, which could include boxes, old phones, and hard drives. Those steps would allow trained examiners to image devices, log files, and assess whether victims can be identified. Coverage from the New York Post says the FBI is poised to begin its own probe, while outlets summarizing The Sun’s report say a federal review is expected but not yet publicly detailed with a case number.
Jurisdiction matters in this case because the alleged stash was found overseas, while Thomas Markle Sr. is reported to be in the United States. That structure often requires coordination between local police, national agencies, and United States federal agents. Media outlets say Philippine police involvement provides a path for lawful seizure and forensic work, while an FBI review could address any United States angles that come from tips, devices, or accounts linked to United States persons.
What is known and what is next
The core facts reported across several outlets are consistent: a sworn statement by Markle Jr., a described location and storage method in Cebu, and outreach to United States and Philippine authorities. People magazine’s summary highlights the reported federal acknowledgment of an affidavit, while the New York Post frames the FBI as readying a probe. No report cites public charges, a warrant, or an official case filing against Thomas Markle Sr. at this time, which often reflects early-stage steps in sensitive cases.
🇺🇸 Meghan Markle’s father investigated for child pornography!
Thomas Markle Sr., 82, faces a probe by Philippine authorities and the FBI after his son Thomas Jr., allegedly turned him in for possessing a MASSIVE collection of child sexual abuse material.
Thomas Jr. claims he…
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 23, 2026
Next steps usually focus on device forensics and victim identification. If Philippine police seize the items, standard practice is to image drives, record hash values, and review metadata to learn when and how files were created or accessed. If examiners find known case material, they can alert the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for matching. If the FBI proceeds, agents can coordinate with Philippine authorities through official channels and decide whether any United States laws apply based on the findings.
Sources:
nypost.com, thesun.co.uk, news.com.au, people.com
