The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) is trying to locate Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, through its Cebu office after photos of him walking around busy streets surfaced online.
Markle, 80, is said to be living in a modest £500-a-month (about 38,500 pesos) apartment in Cebu, where he is being cared for by his son, Thomas Markle Jr., 58.
The PRA says it has been unable to verify their whereabouts — a requirement for foreign retirees under its Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) program.
“Both have not applied for our Retirement Visa. We don’t even know where they live,” said PRA general manager and CEO Roberto “Bob” Zozobrado. “I’ve asked our Cebu Office manager to check on him [Markle Sr.] and offer him our SRRV.”
The SRRV is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to live in the Philippines indefinitely with multiple-entry privileges. It also provides access to local healthcare, investment options, and various government services.
In a January interview with the Daily Mail, Markle said he wanted to settle in Southeast Asia to enjoy a quieter life away from “awful drama.”
“At 80 it is time to go somewhere where the people are lovely and I can enjoy a quieter, friendlier existence,” he said. “In Southeast Asia, the medical care is good, you can live reasonably cheaply, the people are kind and respect older people, and the food is healthy. Mostly I just want peace.”
The move follows years of public estrangement from Meghan, sparked by controversies leading up to her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. Markle has said he was cut off by his daughter and has never met his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Locals in Cebu have seen the octogenarian walking with a cane near busy roads in the area where he is believed to be staying.
