I was thinking the same from his name, Hafidh H. Amer
I believe Hafidh H. Amer is the name of the Iraqi Security Officer who was with the Filipino, at least that's what I think they are saying.
I'm not thinking the American muslim would have been released because he was muslim...these people kill plenty of muslims. I was thinking it could have been orchestrated as a clever way of escaping duty. I just think it is odd.