He added: “We have to establish the file and its nature, the origin of the files as well as ownership of these materials.”
Rae Co also said: “If there will be evidence found of any wrongdoing, we will have to establish possession during the relevant timeline, as well as the identities of the victims if there are any.”
The Philippine National Police said an initial forensic examination of the material could take approximately a week, although the quantity of evidence may mean the investigation continues for considerably longer.
The belongings have been recorded under 80 categories on a police inventory and are being examined by Cebu’s Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 7.
According to the Sun, Markle jnr submitted a sworn statement to prosecutors before returning to provide a supplementary affidavit authorising cybercrime specialists to inspect the material.
Cebu City police say an initial forensic examination could take about a week. Photo / Getty Images
The former window fitter said he was determined to assist the investigation after discovering what he alleged were disturbing images among his father’s possessions.
Speaking to the Sun, Markle jnr said: “It’s been a long process but I’m determined to co-operate fully in the hope that justice will be done.”
He continued: “It took nine hours to sign all the documentation as I handed over all that stuff but I was relieved to get it off my hands.”
Markle jnr said he believed investigators could spend months examining the devices.
He said: “I think it will take months to check all these items and confirm my father is the disgusting monster I’ve now disowned.”
Markle jnr added: “But if it transfers to the US, I’d be prepared to fly to Florida, or wherever he is, to see him in court.”
Philippine interior minister Jonvic Remulla, 58, has also addressed the investigation, describing the allegations in stark terms while emphasising the importance of completing forensic checks.
Remulla said: “Right now, all signs point to a possible sex offender of the grossest kind. We want to be sure before we release the findings. The forensics data will be complete in a week.”
The Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation director, Melvin Matibag, confirmed his organisation had been in contact with the FBI about the case.
Authorities are examining whether any alleged offences could fall within American or Mexican jurisdiction, given Markle snr’s previous residences.
According to the Sun, preliminary checks indicated some of the material dated from 2014 and 2020, before Markle snr moved to the Philippines.
Investigators have not publicly established who downloaded the files or whether Markle snr was responsible for possessing them.
Markle snr became his father’s full-time carer after the former lighting director suffered a stroke in 2022.
The pair relocated from Mexico to Cebu City in January 2025, but Markle snr subsequently returned to the United States for medical treatment after a serious blood clot led to the amputation of his left leg.
Before retiring, Markle snr worked as a Hollywood lighting director on television productions including Married… with Children and General Hospital.
His daughter Meghan, 45, who played Rachel Zane in Suits before marrying Prince Harry, 42, in 2018, has been estranged from her father for several years.
Responding to the allegations against her father through a spokesperson, Meghan said: “I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed.”
She added: “I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father, and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them.”
Markle snr has rejected the allegations against him, describing them as “sick lies”, according to the Daily Mail.