Qantas beefs up security in Philippines over terror fears

Qantas has denied it is banning alcohol, perfumes and other liquids bought at airport duty-free shops in Manila following a report in News Corp papers Sunday. However the airline confirmed it is doing its own bag searches and beefing up security over concerns Islamic State militants may carry out an airborne terrorist attack. The move follows an insurgency in the Philippines by foreign-led jihadists who since May 23 have occupied the city of Marawi in the country's south. A Qantas spokesman said there is no change to the standard inbound restrictions enforced by the Australian govt that ban liquids, gels and aerosols over 100 millilitres. The airline has started its own mandatory searches of passengers' carry-on bags at the Manila departure boarding gate to enforce the standard restrictions. <br/>