MANILA - The owner of a lambanog (palm liquor) distillery that allegedly led to the fatal poisoning of several people in Rizal, Laguna surrendered to authorities on Monday, the police said.

Fred Rey, owner of "Rey Lambanog" in neighboring Batangas province, promised to help shoulder the victims' expenses, said Rizal police chief Capt. Lindley Tibuc.

Despite a complaint of negligence resulting in multiple homicide against Rey, police did not arrest him because his distillery's operation is legal, said the police official.

A GMA report quoting the Candelaria police, however, said Rey Lambanog had no permit from the Food and Drug Administration.

Rey, who has been a liquor maker for 4 decades, declined media interviews.

Some 309 people were hospitalized allegedly due to Rey Lambanog over the weekend, authorities said.

The lambanog had high amounts of methanol, which the FDA prohibits from being used as an extender of ethanol or legal alchohol.