On 10 July 2025, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) received the Best Egmont Case Award (BECA) during the Egmont Group Plenary in Luxembourg. 

“This international recognition affirms the AMLC’s integral role in maintaining the country’s financial integrity. Addressing the evolving money laundering risks requires strong national coordination and international cooperation, which is bolstered by financial intelligence. The winning case best exemplifies how these three components have successfully dismantled an intricate criminal network,” AMLC Executive Director Matthew David said.

This is the second time the AMLC has received the prestigious BECA, the first being in 2015. 

The AMLC’s entry for the BECA annual competition, which involved Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) located in Bamban, Tarlac, was selected from 32 entries submitted by other foreign financial intelligence units (FIUs). The winning case focused on an investigation that benefited from the AMLC’s contribution through valuable intelligence and effective domestic and international cooperation. It showcased the effective collaboration among the Senate of the Philippines, House of Representatives, Office of the Ombudsman, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, and the Intelligence Service-Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

The receipt of the BECA by the AMLC highlights the vital role it played in investigating and prosecuting those involved in the unlawful activities conducted in the said POGO, including the criminal networks involved. 

The BECA annual competition was launched in 2011 by the Egmont Group, an international organization of FIUs. The Egmont Group has 177 member FIUs worldwide. The BECA competition was established to inspire Egmont FIU members to share their knowledge, expertise, and experience in combating money laundering and terrorist financing.