JERUSALEM, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday that he decided to purchase weapons only from Israel because the country does not restrict their uses as other countries do, according to officials and local media.

The remarks were made during Duterte's meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on the third day of his four-day visit to Israel.

He thanked Rivlin for the military and security assistance and knowledge provided by Israel to the Philippines over the past years.

"There are many more opportunities for cooperation between us," he said.

He said he has instructed the Philippines' military to buy weapons and security equipment only from Israel.

"The United States is a good friend but if we purchase weapons from it, it will come with restrictions," he was quoted by Israel's Ynet news site as saying.

Israel has sold home-made pistols and Galil assault rifles to the Philippines, with more weapons sales on the agenda of the current visit by Duterte.