AML RESEARCH CENTRE ASIA-PACIFIC (ARCAP)
Advancing Financial Crime Prevention Across the Asia-Pacific
AML Research Centre Asia-Pacific (ARCAP) is a specialist research and technical institution dedicated to strengthening anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, counter-proliferation financing, sanctions compliance, and financial crime prevention practice across the Asia-Pacific region.
We work at the intersection of law, regulation, financial intelligence, technology, and institutional risk management — developing research-driven frameworks, practical compliance methodologies, professional accreditation standards, and technology-enabled solutions for regulators, covered persons, compliance professionals, and other stakeholders operating in highly regulated environments.
Research. Standards.
Technology.
Institutional Capacity.
Four Institutional Pillars
1. Technical Research & Typologies
2. Capacity-Building & Professional Training
2. Capacity-Building & Professional Training
We conduct specialized research on money laundering, terrorism financing, proliferation financing, sanctions evasion, environmental crime, illicit trade, fraud, corruption, and emerging financial crime risks.
Our research is designed to translate complex regulatory and typology developments into practical guidance for institutions, investigators, supervisors, and compliance professionals.
2. Capacity-Building & Professional Training
2. Capacity-Building & Professional Training
2. Capacity-Building & Professional Training
ARCAP designs and delivers technical training programs for covered persons, regulators, law enforcement agencies, compliance teams, and other stakeholders involved in financial crime prevention.
Our programs combine legal and regulatory analysis, typology-based learning, red flag identification, case study exercises, and practical compliance application.
3. Accreditation & Professional Standards
4. Technology-Enabled Compliance Solutions
4. Technology-Enabled Compliance Solutions
ARCAP promotes the professionalization of AML/CFT/CPF practice through accreditation, technical vetting, competency standards, and continuing professional development.
Our accreditation initiatives support a higher standard of practice among professionals and institutions involved in compliance, audit, investigation, risk management, and financial crime prevention.
4. Technology-Enabled Compliance Solutions
4. Technology-Enabled Compliance Solutions
4. Technology-Enabled Compliance Solutions
ARCAP develops and supports technology-enabled tools that enhance sanctions screening, adverse media review, risk assessment, compliance testing, audit documentation, monitoring, escalation, and institutional decision-making.
Through practical innovation, ARCAP helps institutions strengthen compliance effectiveness, operational efficiency, and regulatory readiness.
Impact & Collaborations
Building Financial Crime Prevention Capacity Through Collaboration
ARCAP works with public-sector institutions, international partners, private financial institutions, covered persons, and technical experts to strengthen financial crime prevention capacity in the Philippines and across the Asia-Pacific region.
Our collaborative engagements focus on practical, high-impact areas, including financial investigations, environmental crime and wildlife trafficking, sanctions compliance, institutional risk assessment, targeted financial sanctions, AML/CFT/CPF audit, suspicious transaction reporting, and technology-enabled compliance.
Selected Areas of Engagement
Financial Investigation and Environmental Crime
Supporting “follow-the-money” approaches to wildlife trafficking, environmental crime, illicit trade, and related money laundering risks.
Private Sector AML/CFT/CPF Capacity-Building
Training banks, money service businesses, electronic money issuers, pawnshops, casinos, real estate entities, and other covered persons on practical compliance obligations and emerging typologies.
Regulatory and Institutional Readiness
Assisting institutions in strengthening AML governance, risk assessment, controls testing, board reporting, and regulatory preparedness.
Specialist Research and Knowledge Products
Developing technical materials, guidance documents, typology references, and practical tools for financial crime prevention professionals.
Regional Engagements & Partnerships
Ensuring Compliance and Promoting Financial Integrity
Importance of AML/CTPF Audit Services
Key Components of AML/CTPF Audit Services
Key Components of AML/CTPF Audit Services
AML/CTPF audit services are integral to the fight against financial crimes. These services provide “covered persons” with a structured approach to evaluating their compliance with applicable laws and standards.
In the Philippines, these audits serve as a mechanism to:
- Identify Compliance Gaps:
- Mitigate Financial Risks:
- Promote Ethical Practices:
Key Components of AML/CTPF Audit Services
Key Components of AML/CTPF Audit Services
Key Components of AML/CTPF Audit Services
AML/CTPF audit services in the Philippines typically encompass the following components:
- Review of Policies and Procedures
- Transaction Monitoring and Reporting
- Staff Training and Awareness
- Risk Assessment Framework
- Testing of Internal Controls
Research & Intelligence
Where Financial Crime Research Becomes Action
ARCAP produces practical research, typology studies, red flag indicators, sector guidance, and technical resources that help institutions detect, understand, and respond to emerging AML/CFT/CPF risks.
From sanctions evasion and fraud to wildlife trafficking, environmental crime, illicit trade, and corruption, ARCAP converts complex financial crime threats into actionable knowledge for regulators, covered persons, compliance teams, investigators, and institutional partners.
Research that informs.
Intelligence that guides.
Action that strengthens compliance.
EMPIRE System
AML Screening Tool
Electronic Money Laundering Prevention Interface and Registry (EMPIRe)
EMPIRe is ARCAP’s screening intelligence platform designed to support risk-based AML/CFT/CPF compliance, sanctions screening, and reputational risk assessment.
The system enables users to screen individuals and entities against consolidated data sources covering sanctions lists, politically exposed persons, adverse media, government advisories, and other derogatory information from official and credible sources.
Built for compliance professionals, covered persons, and institutions operating in regulated sectors, EMPIRe supports faster identification of potential risk indicators and strengthens due diligence, escalation, and compliance decision-making.
Database updated as of June 2025
Reference sources include: UNSC, OFAC, OFSI, SDN, AMLC, ATC, COMELEC, DILG, CA, and EMPIRe Internal Watchlist.
Privacy Policy & Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
We are committed to maintaining the accuracy, confidentiality, and security of your personally identifiable information ("Personal Information"). As part of this commitment, our privacy policy governs our actions as they relate to the collection, use and disclosure of Personal Information. Our privacy policy is based upon the values set by the pertinent laws on data privacy, security and protection.