Jintotolo Channel

The Jintotolo Channel (or Jintotolo Strait) is the body of water that connects the Sibuyan Sea with the Visayan Sea. It is located between the Philippine islands of Panay and Masbate, and is an important shipping route to and from the Central Visayas.

Jintotolo Channel
Jintotolo Strait
Jintotolo Channel, showing Jintotolo Island in the distance
Jintotolo Channel
Location	Bicol Region, Philippines
Coordinates	11°45′N 123°07′E
Max. width	40 km (25 mi)

Jintotolo Island (2010 population of 1,454) and the 3 small islets of the Zapatos Islands (2010 population of 585) lie in the middle of the channel.^[1] These islands fall under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Balud, Masbate.

The channel is marked by a lighthouse on Jintotolo Island. The 15.5-metre-high (51 ft) lighthouse^[2] was built in 1890s and has a focal plane of 57 meters (187 ft) with 3 white flashes every 10 seconds.^[3]

The wrecks of the Japanese cruiser Kinu and destroyer Uranami lie on the bottom of the channel.

References

1. "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 November 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
2. Survey, U.S. Coast and Geodetic; Christman, R.J. (1919). United States Coast Pilot, Philippine Islands. Its Serial. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 195.
3. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the Philippines: Masbate". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.