by Angela Casauay Posted on 02/12/2014 5:13 PM |Updated 02/12/2014 8:32 PM

AT A GLANCE. Reporters Without Borders ranks the state of press freedom across the world. Image by Reporters Without Borders

MANILA, Philippines For the 2nd year in a row and against the backdrop of unsolved media killings and the President's refusal to endorse the Freedom of Information bill, the Philippines dropped in press freedom rankings across the world.

Out of 180 countries surveyed by Paris-based organization Reporters Without Borders or Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), the Philippines ranked 149th in the 2014 World Press Freedom Index. It dropped even further from 147th in 2013 and 140th in 2012.

The results of the survey come two months after the killing of 3 media practitioners within just two weeks. (READ: Gov't probes media killings)

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said the government "acknowledges" the Philippines' "slight decline" in the rankings.

Coloma told reporters: "We are committed to pursue and prosecute assailants of slain journalists so that we may obtain justice for those who were killed in the practice of their profession. We will continue to ensure that there are no prior restraints to the exercise of press freedom. This is in keeping with the spirit of EDSA People Power as we commemorate this month the 28th anniversary of the struggle that ensured the triumph of democracy over dictatorship and martial rule."

Factors

In this year's press freedom index, armed conflicts and abusive surveillance practices were some of the major factors that contributed to the repression of press freedom.

Even countries known for being democratic suffered drops in rankings. The United States (46th) fell 13 places due its handling of the trial and conviction of Private Bradley Manning and the pursuit of NSA analyst Edward Snowden.

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PH drops anew in press freedom rankings