Thomas Markle receives apology: Philippine police address wrongly being cited person of interest, father-child abuse probe report

Police clarify Markle Jr.’s status

A source close to the case told The Sun that Philippine officers had apologized to Thomas Markle Jr. and that the matter was resolved. The Sun also reported that police interviewed his fiancée, Rose Ann Gabuya, and other people in their circle.

At a Thursday press conference, Philippine Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities had received a witness allegation about underage girls being brought to a residence linked to the investigation. Remulla said investigators would examine whether the son was involved, while officials stressed that Jr. was not then considered a suspect.

Investigation into Thomas Sr.

The report of the apology followed the arrest of Thomas Markle Sr. in Florida on Friday on child porn charges. He was released on bond, barred from contact with minors, and returned to the dementia care facility where he had been living.

According to a criminal complaint filed by FBI special agent Laura Carter, agents searched two storage units registered to Markle in the Central District of California. Searches on Oct. 30 and Nov. 4 found material suspected of containing child sexual abuse imagery; the complaint alleges that Markle appears in two images with an underage girl.

Earlier reports and family response

The Sun had reported in late October that Cebu City police were investigating Sr. after child sexual abuse materials were allegedly found at his former home in the Philippines and turned in by Jr. The Daily Mail also said it found alleged child pornography in a storage unit near Sr.’s home in Mexico and contacted the FBI. Meghan Markle described the allegations in a statement to Page Six as “troubling and disturbing.” She said her distance from her father and decision to keep him from contacting her children were intended to protect them; a representative for Meghan and Prince Harry said the couple had no comment on Sr.’s arrest.