Guen Aguilar, 29, who faces death by hanging if convicted of the murder of fellow Filipina maid Jane La Puebla, 26, was also ordered moved from police custody to the Changi Women's Prison ahead of her trial.

As Aguilar made her third court appearance since her arrest on September 10, about 20 protesters carrying the Singaporean flag and a mock hangman's noose staged a protest outside the city-state's embassy in Manila.

"Down With Repressive Singapore Laws," said a placard carried by activists from Migrante, a group campaigning for the welfare of Filipino overseas workers. Another read: "Fair and Public Trial for Guen Aguilar."

The case has generated intense interest in the Philippines due to parallels with Flor Contemplacion, another maid hanged here 10 years ago for the murder of a fellow Filipina domestic helper and a Singaporean boy.

The hanging and the publicity surrounding it strained relations and both governments now appear to be taking steps to prevent a repetition of the diplomatic crisis triggered by the 1995 episode.

In the present case, La Puebla's severed head and limbs were found inside a sports bag along Singapore's Orchard Road shopping district on September 9. Her torso was later found at a nature park.

Defence lawyer Shashi Nathan said he had been given full access to Aguilar, who was arrested hours after the gruesome discovery of the body parts, and spent four hours talking to her Thursday, but he would not disclose details.

"This morning the prosecution confirmed that they have finished the investigation into Guen's case," Nathan told reporters.

"She's now remanded at Changi Women's Prison and sometime next week she will be sent for state-ordered psychiatric evaluation."

Nathan said it was premature to discuss case details, saying speculation of a love triangle seemed to be mere "conjecture" in the media.

"I don't think there is a tall, dark boyfriend. I've not been informed of any such person," said Nathan, who described Aguilar as healthy but suffering from emotional pain and concerned about her two young sons in the Philippines.

Another meeting was being arranged for her husband, Edwin, to visit her in prison before he returns to the Philippines this weekend.

Aguilar's husband was present in court Friday as were the husband and aunt of the victim, but both families sat a few feet apart.

After the hearing, they were whisked off in separate Philippine embassy cars.

The remains of La Puebla are expected to be flown back to the Philippines on Sunday after a final autopsy attended by three visiting Filipino pathologists, part of efforts by both governments to prevent the case from becoming another diplomatic headache.

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